Mare’s Nest
.To find a mare’s nest is to make what you suppose to be a great discovery, but which turns out to be all moonshine.
“Are we to believe that the governor, executive council, the officers, and merchants have been finding mare’s nests only?”—The Times.
N.B. In some parts of Scotland they use instead a skate’s nest. In Gloucestershire a long-winded tale is called a Horse-nest. In Cornwall they say You have found a wee’s nest, and are laughing over the eggs. In Devon, nonsense is called a blind mare’s nest. Holinshed calls a gallows a foul’s nest (iii.). In French the corresponding phrase is “Nid de lapin; Nid dʹune souris dans lʹoreille dʹun chat.” (See Chat.)
