| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Cow’s Tail. | | |
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“Always behind, like a cow’s tail.” “Tanquam coda vituli.” (Petronius.) | 1 |
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The cow knows not the worth of her tail till she loses it, and is troubled with flies, which her tail brushed off. | 2 |
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| “What we have we prize not to the worth |
| Whiles we enjoy it; but being lack’d and lost, |
| Why, then we rack the value.” | |
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Shakespeare: Much Ado about Nothing, iv. 1. |
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