{"id":1426,"date":"2022-02-26T19:10:31","date_gmt":"2022-02-26T19:10:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=1426"},"modified":"2022-02-26T19:10:31","modified_gmt":"2022-02-26T19:10:31","slug":"butterflies-in-my-stomach-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/butterflies-in-my-stomach-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Butterflies in My Stomach - Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you about to undertake a task that\u2019s making you feel nervous? If so, you could use the expression \u201cI have butterflies in my stomach<\/em>\u201d to describe your feeling of nervousness. This post unpacks everything you need to know about the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

If someone tells you I have \u201cbutterflies in my stomach<\/em>,\u201d they are telling you that they are nervous about something they are about to do. For instance, if you\u2019re waiting in line to get into a concert venue to see your favorite band perform, you could say you have \u201cbutterflies in your stomach<\/em>\u201d to describe your feeling of nervous anticipation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re at work and you\u2019re waiting to take a polygraph test, you could say you have \u201cbutterflies in your stomach<\/em>\u201d to describe your feelings of anxiety and nervousness at the situation. It\u2019s a great way of expressing concern or excitement at an upcoming event or task.<\/p>\n

The phrase is still in use today, and you probably hear it all the time. It suits professional and social use in conversation<\/em>, and most people will understand what you mean when using the expression.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\u201cOh my gosh, I can\u2019t believe I\u2019m about to do this; I have butterflies in my stomach<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going out on a date with John tonight. I\u2019m so nervous that I have butterflies in my stomach<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you took that corner at 150-miles an hour, I had butterflies in my stomach<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m waiting for them to announce the winner, and I have butterflies in my stomach<\/em> right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are they going to say? I have such butterflies in my stomach<\/em> right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe boss is grilling everyone about the theft. We all have to go in for a polygraph, and I have butterflies in my stomach<\/em>, even though I didn\u2019t do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Origin<\/h2>\n

The first use of the phrase \u201cbutterflies in my stomach<\/em>\u201d appears in a 1908 publication where it reads.<\/p>\n

\u201cgave him a sad feeling, as if he had a butterfly in his stomach<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bill Gardener\u2019s 1943 work describing the ordeals of paratroopers is the first well-known use of the phrase, where it appears as follows.<\/p>\n

\u201cI landed all right, and although I\u2019ll always have butterflies in my stomach every time I go up<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bill describes the feeling that small butterflies are floating around in his stomach as the nervousness washes over him in preparation for the jump.<\/p>\n

The phrase went on to gain popularity in everyday conversation, and many people use the expression all the time to describe their nervous or excited disposition.<\/p>\n