Spur of the moment

[dmccrory]

where did spur-of-the-moment come from

[andy hughes]

Spurs are used to goad a horse into a gallop - to 'spur it on' in fact. Thus - if the 'moment' is appropriate to goad someone into action, it can act as a metaphysical 'spur', and the person moves into action, goaded by 'the spur of the moment'.

[Pinotage]

I think a one star rating for Andy Hughes's excellent answer is mean. What does he have to do to get three stars?

[sddsddean]

Have a nice little hotel in the Lake District perhaps.