Meanings
- archaicslanguncountablehobbiesA form of cheating in which the jockey deliberately pulls his horse back so that it does not win.
He had practised “Captain Armstrong” so palpably as to be banished from the Turf.
1886, Baily's Magazine of Sports & Pastimes, volume 46, page 4132 more examples
"Poor child," he said to himself, all his angry feelings changing, "she seems to have set her heart so upon winning, it would be sad if she were disappointed. No one has much on it: shall I try Captain Armstrong for once? It would make her very happy. Bar accidents, I must win. They don't know that the chestnut has not extended himself yet."
1860, George Alfred Lawrence, Guy Livingstone, page 70We have not an iota of belief in this or any other "Captain Armstrong" insinuation against high-class jockeys, who have far too comfortable incomes, and too much proper pride, to place their characters in any man's power, […]
The Sporting Magazine (page 208)
Origin
A pun on the name Armstrong, referring to the use of a strong arm.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
Captain Armstrong. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Captain%20Armstrong
“Captain Armstrong.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Captain%20Armstrong. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Captain Armstrong,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Captain%20Armstrong.
Source: Captain Armstrong on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.