A 'dark horse' refers to a person, team, or thing that was previously lesser known but unexpectedly rises to prominence, particularly in contexts such as competitions or elections. The term originates from horse racing, describing a horse that is not well known to gamblers, hence making it difficult to predict its chances of winning. In politics, it is used to denote a candidate who is not expected to succeed but who might emerge as a surprising winner.
Historically, the first 'dark horse' candidate in U.S. presidential politics was James K. Polk, who, amid more prominent candidates, won the Democratic nomination in 1844 and later the presidency. The term can also apply in various other fields, including sports and entertainment, to describe unexpected successes or winners in competitive scenarios[1][5].
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