YELLOWBELLY Meaning and
Definition
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Yellowbelly is a noun that refers to a person who is perceived as cowardly, timid or lacking in courage. The term originated from the combination of two words, "yellow" and "belly". "Yellow" is associated with cowardice or fear, and "belly" is used metaphorically to indicate one's courage or backbone. Thus, a yellowbelly is someone who exhibits a lack of bravery or fortitude in the face of danger or challenging situations.
The term yellowbelly can be used as an insult or derogatory label, suggesting that the individual lacks the necessary courage or bravery to confront or stand up for themselves. It implies a person who avoids conflicts or challenging circumstances, preferring to take a passive or submissive approach instead. Yellowbellies may often hesitate to take risks or make bold decisions, instead opting for a more cautious or conservative approach. This label is often applied to individuals involved in confrontations or conflicts where they are expected to take a stand, but instead display signs of fear or apprehension.
Moreover, yellowbelly can also be used to describe someone who is generally perceived as weak-willed, easily intimidated, or lacking in resilience. The term may also be extended to describe individuals who lack the guts or determination to pursue their goals or aspirations. Synonyms for yellowbelly include coward, chicken-hearted, and faint-hearted.
Common Misspellings for YELLOWBELLY
- tellowbelly
- gellowbelly
- hellowbelly
- uellowbelly
- 7ellowbelly
- 6ellowbelly
- ywllowbelly
- ysllowbelly
- ydllowbelly
- yrllowbelly
- y4llowbelly
- y3llowbelly
- yeklowbelly
- yeplowbelly
- yeolowbelly
- yelkowbelly
- yelpowbelly
- yeloowbelly
- yelliwbelly
- yellkwbelly
Etymology of YELLOWBELLY
The word "yellowbelly" originated in the mid-19th century as a slang term in America, usually referring to someone who is cowardly or timid. The etymology of the word can be broken down into two parts: "yellow" and "belly".
The term "yellow" has long been associated with cowardice or fear. This usage dates back to the 1700s, where "yellow" referred to jaundice, a condition that causes the skin to have a yellowish hue. It was commonly believed that jaundice caused weakness, feebleness, or cowardice in individuals. Thus, the term "yellow" started being used metaphorically to describe someone lacking courage.
The addition of "belly" to "yellow" in the term "yellowbelly" is used to emphasize and intensify the cowardice or timidity.
Similar spelling words for YELLOWBELLY
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