Who You Calling Tacky? Common Is Not My Name!

Mary Tefft White Cultural Center, University Library

The name “Marsh Tacky,” referring to a breed of horse primarily found in the coastal regions of the southeastern United States has been the subject of debate and speculation among historians, linguists and journalists for more than a century. While it is often believed that “Marsh Tacky” simply means “common horse,” thee origins of the name are likely more complex and may be rooted in a combination of regional dialects, cultural influences, and historical contexts. Linguistic studies provide some evidence that word borrowing may be involved as well. Morphological similarities of the named equine appear to share migratory and linguistic patterns.