Under The Weather

UNDER THE WEATHER - "Ik Marvel, a pseudonym that resulted from a misprinting of J.K. Marvel, was the pen name of American author Donald Grant Mitchell. In his 'Reveries of a Bachelor' Ik Marvel is the first to record 'under the weather,' which has been a synonym for everything from 'ill and indisposed' to 'financially embarrassed' and 'drunk,' and has even been a synonym for 'the discomfort accompanying menstruation." From "Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins" by Robert Hendrickson (Facts on File, New York, 1997).

 

To be under the weather is to be unwell. This comes again from a maritime source. In the old days, when a sailor was unwell, he was sent down below to help his recovery, under the deck and away from the weather.

You're right, that explanation sounds better. Here's a similar one I found: "Under the weather. To feel ill. Originally it meant to feel seasick or to be adversely affected by bad weather. The term is correctly 'under the weather bow' which is a gloomy prospect; the weather bow is the side upon which all the rotten weather is blowing." From "Salty Dog Talk: The Nautical Origins of Everyday Expressions" by Bill Beavis and Richard G. McCloskey (Sheridan House, Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., 1995. First published in Great Britain, 1983).

This was the definition I found, it is so interesting to me where our daily expressions originate.  My baby and I are figuratively and literally under the weather.  Our LA weather has been damp, and poor thing has an upset stomach coming out of both ends (sorry for the visual.)  I always get a scratchy, dry throat, but yesterday started feeling some sneezes, watery eyes, and runny nose.  It occurred to me that as it rarely rains in Los Angeles, all the crud that is in our sky is broken down and spread out all over the place, and my sensitive nose and eyes feel it full on.

We just took a nap, missed an appointment because we slept too long, but I guess it is just meant to be.  I just need to stay in, rest, and recuperate - YUCK!  We have guests to night, so I hope we are all feeling a bit better to just hang out and enjoy the meal and the company.

Health is Everything,
Eating Chicken Soup,
Using Ricolla to soothe my throat,
Drinking Hot Herbalife Green Tea for antioxidants and energy,
and then all we can do is wait it out,
Shabbat Shalom,
Coach Yulia