HAVING KITTENS Meaning and
Definition
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Having kittens is an idiomatic expression that is used to describe someone who is experiencing extreme anxiety, panic, or agitation. This phrase is typically employed in British English and is derived from the stereotypical behavior of a pregnant cat when giving birth to its litter.
In a literal sense, having kittens refers to the process of a female cat going through labor and delivering its offspring. During this time, the cat experiences intense pain, discomfort, and nervousness. Transferring this concept to human emotions, the phrase indicates an individual's state of extreme distress or anxiety. It suggests that the person is highly agitated or worried about a particular situation or event, to the point that it resembles the anxiety experienced by a cat while giving birth.
The phrase "having kittens" is often used in a humorous or exaggerated manner to emphasize the intensity of someone's emotional state. It can be used to describe reactions to various situations such as waiting for important news, dealing with a crisis, or experiencing extreme anticipation. For instance, if someone is waiting anxiously to hear the results of a job interview, they may say they are "having kittens" to convey their nervousness and apprehension.
Overall, the term "having kittens" serves as a colorful and vivid way to describe someone's heightened emotions or anxiety, drawing a parallel between the distress experienced by a cat in labor and the intense emotional state of a human being.
Common Misspellings for HAVING KITTENS
- gaving kittens
- baving kittens
- naving kittens
- javing kittens
- uaving kittens
- yaving kittens
- hzving kittens
- hsving kittens
- hwving kittens
- hqving kittens
- hacing kittens
- habing kittens
- haging kittens
- hafing kittens
- havung kittens
- havjng kittens
- havkng kittens
- havong kittens
- hav9ng kittens
- hav8ng kittens
Etymology of HAVING KITTENS
The phrase "having kittens" is a colloquial expression in English that means to be extremely nervous, anxious, or agitated. It is often used to describe someone who is worried or in a state of panic.
The etymology of this phrase is not entirely clear, but it can be traced back to the mid-20th century. The word "kitten" refers to a young cat, and the phrase likely originated as a metaphor for the state of extreme nervousness or agitation.
It is believed that the phrase may have been influenced by the earlier idiom "to throw a fit" which means to become extremely angry or upset. In a similar vein, "having kittens" could be seen as a figurative exaggeration of this emotional state, emphasizing the idea of being in a state of restlessness or anxiety.
