Pylimitics

If you embark on a “wild goose chase”, you’re trying to do something that’s probably not going to work. But where did that phrase come from? 

Most people assume that it would be very difficult to catch a wild goose, so the idea of chasing one is foolish and pointless. You’ll even see that explanation in various places on that very reliable source, the internet. Astonishingly enough, it’s almost certainly not true. And besides, back in the olden days people were practical and wouldn’t chase geese; they’d probably just use a net.

The phrase “wild goose chase” comes instead from a sport that didn’t even involve any a single goose. Back in the 16th century, a group of riders on horses would get together and the lead rider tried to ride in the most erratic, complicated path he could. The other riders had to to trace his path while staying in formation the whole time (they agreed on the formation before the start).

For extra credit, the chase riders would try to stay a fixed distance behind the lead rider. The name of the game is said to come from the way wild geese fly in formation behind a leader, “chasing” him, so to speak. 

I don’t know much of anything about riding horses, but it must have been a pretty difficult game. But they kept playing it, so it must not have been impossible (although it’s unclear whether it was the sort of game that had a winner). But maybe it was so hard that trying to win was just going on a wild goose chase.