Frog in your throat:If you have a cold or allergies that produces too much phlegm in your throat, then someone may say to you that you sound like you have a "frog in your throat." Your voice would probably be hoarse, thus making you sound like the croaking of a frog. This phrase may also refer to a choking sensation or blockage in your throat, probably due to phlegm again, sorry if that word grosses you out! I have always thought of it as having a sore throat and a funny sounding voice. We all know this, it is a no-brainer!
Since I am trying to inform myself, and you too, I had to dig a little deeper on this one. There are lots of little theories out there about where this phrase comes from. My favorite is this:
Once upon a time, I added that part because good stories start like that, long ago people use to drink water from lakes or ponds. Gross! Apparently, the were tougher than we are now because that would make us sick with flu-like symptoms from all the microscopic things that live in unclean water. They weren't so much concerned with that as with swallowing small, whole animals, like tadpoles, minnows, eggs, little frogs, you name it. It was believed that if you swallowed some of these things that they would continue to grow or hatch in your throat producing a chocking sensation. Thus the saying was hatched about one having a frog in their throat, quite literally. That gives me the heebee-geebees! At any rate, now you know, don't drink out of lakes and ponds.
As always, if you have a common phrase that you would like to know what it means, why we say it, and where it comes from, then leave me a comment and I will do the research for you. Happy musing!
1 comment:
What a "toadally" cute frog picture. I had no idea it was possible to make a frog have "puppy eyes" :)
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