a coined
phrase meaning to show
wisdom,
experience, or the like; to
act learned. This
phrase may come from the
fact that throughout
history a beard has symbolized full manhood, dignity,
wisdom and other such qualities. Philosophers, rulers and other notable persons in
history have often been depicted as
having beards. To
pull a long
gray beard literally gives the idea of a
wise and experienced
man stroking or pulling on his long
gray beard when giving
advice or speaking authoritatively on something.