You will definitely confuse a non-native English speaker if you tell them that you have been feeling a bit "under the weather" lately.
When someone is under the weather, they feel slightly ill or unwell.
This is nothing major. It could be a slight cold or even a mild case of the flu. Or having a sore throat.
Sadly, the origin of the expression "under the weather" is uncertain. But it likely comes from maritime terminology.
This theory suggests that "under the weather" originally referred to sailors who were feeling ill or seasick while on board a ship.
When sailors were below deck, they were protected from the worst of the weather, but they were also more likely to feel the motion of the ship, which could lead to seasickness.
So, being "under the weather" meant feeling unwell due to the conditions on the ship.
The second theory suggests that "weather" in this phrase refers to the prevailing atmospheric conditions, such as storms or rough seas.
Therefore, to be "under the weather" would mean being affected or influenced by the unpleasant weather, leading to feelings of illness or discomfort.
There is right now no way to know for certain.
It does come from the maritime life at sea. And clearly, it is related to hard weather and feeling more or less seasick.
Regardless of its precise origin, the phrase has come to be used figuratively to describe feeling unwell or out of sorts, whether due to sickness, fatigue, or other factors.
First appearance of the idiom is from 1835 in the newspaper Jeffersonville Daily Evening News:
"’I own Jessica is somewhat under the weather to-day, figuratively and literally,’ said the gentleman, amusedly, giving a glance at the lady over in the corner."
There you have it. How are you feeling today? Well, I hope?
