horse-opera

Noun

horse opera (plural horse operas)

1. (idiomatic) A theatrical production, film, or program on radio or television depicting adventures of characters in the American Old West; a western.
   • Three new examples of Hollywood's staple commodity, the horse opera, all filmed in color, contain the full quota of galloping and gunplay.1952 November 3, “Way Out West”, in Time

   Synonyms:

   hoss opera, oater, oat opera

2. (archaic, idiomatic) An equestrian show, as in a circus.
   • The Ravels, after having played a successful engagement at the Metropolitan, closed last evening, and sail to-day for New-Orleans, and now we have no amusement but nigger minstrels and the horse opera—i.e., circus.1856 March 31, “Affairs in California: San Francisco”, in New York Times, retrieved 30 Mar 2009

   Synonyms:

   hoss opera, oat opera