Dear Tom,
How did the term “under the weather” come to mean poor health?
Joseph Stachowski, Chicago
Dear Joseph,
There are two possible explanations for relating this term to poor health. One is based on the premise that the weather can affect a person’s mood and well being. Most people tend to be in a better mood on a bright, sunny day than on a gloomy or stormy one. Additionally, many ailments such as migraines and rheumatism seem to flare up, causing more discomfort in inclement weather. Another interpretation relates the phrase to ocean travel. People tend to become seasick when it’s stormy and head below deck where they are “under the weather.” Some etymologists think the expression is an abbreviated form of the nautical phrase “under the weather bow,” a reference to the windward side of the ship, the one that takes the brunt of the wind and high seas.
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Tom Skilling is chief meteorologist at WGN-TV. His forecasts can be seen Monday through Friday on WGN-TV News at noon and 9 p.m.
Write to: ASK TOM WHY, 2501 Bradley Pl., Chicago, IL 60618 or asktomwhy@wgntv.com (Mail volume precludes personal response.)
WGN-TV meteorologists Steve Kahn, Richard Koeneman and Paul Dailey plus weather producer Bill Snyder contribute to this page.
