one trick pony

[hanger_74]

where did the phrase one trick pony come from?

[Clanad]

The origin of the phrase goes back to the days of traveling circuses. Small ones with no major acts and no menagerie of exotic animals were derided as being dog and pony shows, since those were the major performers. To further denigrate the show, detractors would say that it had a one trick pony...