A Scottish mythological term for the kelpie — a shape-shifting water spirit that haunts rivers and lochs. The water horse typically appears as a beautiful, wild horse standing by the water's edge. Folklore warned that if you climbed onto its back, it would plunge into the deep and drown you. The creature could also take human form. The water horse sits at the heart of Scottish Highland legend and has inspired countless stories, films, and artworks.
The old farmer swore he'd seen a water horse by the loch at dusk, standing still as stone.
No comments yet — say something.
(Scotland, mythological creatures) The kelpie.
No comments yet — say something.
Add your own interpretation of "water horse".
Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
See all Regional & Other slang on Slangora.