pot
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
A favourite in the betting for a race. Probably so called because it is usual to say that a heavily-backed horse carries "a POT of money." When a favourite is beaten the POT is said to be upset.
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “pot” mean?
A favourite in the betting for a race. Probably so called because it is usual to say that a heavily-backed horse carries "a POT of money." When a favourite is beaten the POT is said to be upset.
Is “pot” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.