The word "short tempered" is spelled as /ʃɔːt tɛmpəd/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable is pronounced as "shor" with the "o" sound as in "for" and a silent "t" at the end. The second syllable is pronounced as "temp" with the "e" sound as in "bet" and a silent "e" at the end. The word ends with "-pered" pronounced as "perd" with the "-ed" sound as in "bed." "Short tempered" refers to a person who easily gets angry or irritable.
Short-tempered is an adjective used to describe a person who displays a tendency to easily lose patience, become easily angered, or get irritated over small or insignificant matters. This personality trait demonstrates a lack of tolerance or control over one's emotions, leading to a quick and often explosive reaction to any perceived provocation or frustration.
A short-tempered individual may have a low threshold for annoyance and exhibit a rapid onset of anger or frustration that can be disproportionate to the circumstances. They may find it challenging to remain calm or composed when faced with minor inconveniences, interruptions, or disagreements. Typically, such individuals exhibit impatience, impulsiveness, or even aggressiveness in their responses.
This irritable temperament often stems from personal factors such as stress, exhaustion, unresolved anger, or underlying emotional issues. It can also arise from external factors like environmental circumstances that exacerbate a person's irritability.
Interacting with a short-tempered individual can require additional caution, mindfulness, or empathy to prevent conflicts or further aggravation. Therefore, it is important to employ communication techniques that minimize potential triggers and enable more constructive dialogue.
It is worth noting that being short-tempered is not an inherent flaw or permanent characteristic. With self-awareness and adopting strategies like stress management, anger management techniques, or seeking professional help, individuals can effectively reduce or overcome their short-tempered nature, leading to healthier relationships and improved emotional well-being.
The word "short-tempered" combines the adjective "short" with the noun "temper".
- "Short" originally comes from Old English "sceort", which can be traced back to Proto-Germanic "skurtaz". It carries the meaning of being small in length or duration. Over time, it developed additional senses such as being lacking in length, quantity, or extent, as well as impatience or irritability.
- "Temper", on the other hand, originates from Latin "temperare", meaning "to mix or blend". It evolved through Middle English from Old English "temprian" and had the sense of mixing ingredients in cooking or combining elements thoroughly.
When these two words are combined, "short-tempered" essentially refers to someone who has a limited capacity for patience or tolerance, reacting quickly and strongly to provocations or annoyances.