30 January 2017

Under the Weather

I'm taking a rare sick day, today, and began to wonder where the phrase "under the weather" comes from. Turns out it's a nautical term, which seems appropriate for this old sailor. According to the Farmer's Almanac:
On the high seas when the wind would start to blow hard and the water became rough, crewmen and travelers would go below deck and down to their cabins in order to ride out the storm and avoid becoming seasick. In this way they literally retreat to a location “under the weather."
In digging a little further, we find out more. According to Salty Dog Talk: The Nautical Origins of Everyday Expressions, by Bill Beavis and Richard G. McCloskey, the term in its entirety is “under the weather bow;” they tell us the weather bow is “the side [of the ship] upon which all the rotten weather is blowing.”

Alrighty, then.

So here I am, riding out the remaining storm, safely below deck and "under" the weather.


13 comments:

threecollie said...

I truly hope you feel better very soon. This has already been a bad winter for illness.

Rev. Paul said...

Thank you, ma'am. I'm somewhat better today, but didn't want to go back to work too soon & make myself worse again.

Sandy Livesay said...

Rev. Paul,

We hope you're feeling better soon. Stay warm, drink plenty of fluids, and not shoveling snow!!!

griz said...

Partner,
Hoping that you feel better.

"Fair winds and following sea"

Take care, be safe.
God bless
Griz

Rev. Paul said...

Sandy, thank you. And I promise to use no shovel. But the local plow operator plowed both ends of our driveway shut, and somebody had to clear them. And I'm the somebody who's home & therefore available, so I did it. Only took 20 minutes, maybe 25.

Griz, thank you. Judging by how long everyone else has had it, today should be the last day of feeling poorly.

Guffaw in AZ said...

Sorry you are feeling poorly.
Get well soon.
gfa

Rev. Paul said...

Thank you, my friend.

Suz said...

You have my sympathies sir. I am just getting over this myself, but am planning on getting back to work tomorrow for the first time in a week. Lots of chicken soup helps along with meds from the doctor. :)

Rev. Paul said...

Suz, you win the comparison. I've only had symptoms since Friday, and only over-the-counter meds. There was one bowl of chicken soup, though. :)
I hope you're feeling much better.

Toirdhealbheach Beucail said...

I saw the title, guessed what I thought it meant, and then though "I wonder where that phrase comes from?" before I read it. Low and behold, you pre-answered my question.

Hope you are feeling better.

Old NFO said...

Hope you get better soon!

Rob said...

Padre, stay warm and feel better soon.

Rev. Paul said...

TB, NFO, & Rob - thank you all.