The phrase "turn stomach" is a common idiomatic expression that refers to an action or situation that causes nausea or disgust. The spelling of the word "turn" is /tɜːn/, with a silent "u" in the middle. The spelling of the word "stomach" is /ˈstʌmək/, with a "ch" sound at the end. The phrase is often used in negative scenarios, and can sometimes be accompanied by physical manifestations such as feeling queasy or experiencing a gag reflex.
The phrase "turn stomach" refers to a colloquial expression used to describe a feeling of intense disgust, repulsion, or queasiness that arises in response to something offensive, unpleasant, or morally repugnant. When an individual experiences something that "turns their stomach," it provokes a physical and psychological reaction of extreme aversion or revulsion.
This idiom is often used figuratively to denote an emotional reaction rather than a literal physical sensation. It signifies a profound negative response that causes deep discomfort or sickness at the mere thought or encounter with a particular event, situation, behavior, or object. The term suggests a profound disruption of one's inner equilibrium, evoking a visceral sensation of nausea or discomfort that can linger long after the initial encounter.
"Turn stomach" can be linked to encounters with distasteful or grotesque scenes, offensive acts, disturbing behavior, or offensive language or imagery. It reflects the individual's strong sense of moral or ethical outrage, making it a personal, subjective reaction that varies from person to person. The expression "turn stomach" is often used to emphasize the intensity or severity of the negative reaction, highlighting the impact it has on the person's emotional and physical well-being.
The phrase "turn stomach" does not have a specific etymology as it is a combination of two individual words, "turn" and "stomach".
The word "turn" comes from the Old English word "tyrnan", which means "to move or rotate". Over time, it developed into the Middle English word "turnen" and eventually became "turn" in Modern English. When used figuratively, the word "turn" indicates a change in a situation or state of being.
The word "stomach", on the other hand, has Latin roots. It comes from the Latin word "stomachus", which refers to the part of the body where digestion takes place. In Latin, "stomachus" was borrowed from the Greek word "stomakhos". The term later entered the English language through Old French.