Primalchaos (talk | contribs) Revert to revision 151286892 dated 2007-08-15 00:25:34 by 166.77.103.133 using popups |
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'''Tempest in a teapot''' (in [[American English]]), or '''storm in a teacup''' (in [[British English]]), is an [[idiom]] used commonly in [[English language|English]] meaning a small event that has been exaggerated out of proportion.<ref>[http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/storm+in+a+teacup.html Using English - Storm in a teacup] accessed 20 May 2007</ref> There are also lesser known variants, such as ''storm in a cream bowl'' and ''storm in a wash-hand basin''. |
'''Tempest in a teapot''' (in [[American English]]), or '''storm in a teacup''' (in [[British English]]), is an [[idiom]] used commonly in [[English language|English]] meaning a small event that has been exaggerated out of proportion.<ref>[http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/storm+in+a+teacup.html Using English - Storm in a teacup] accessed 20 May 2007</ref> There are also lesser known variants, such as ''storm in a cream bowl'' and ''storm in a wash-hand basin''. |
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The phrase is at least a [[century]] and a half old, as evidenced in the January [[1838]] edition of the defunct ''The United States Democratic Review'', in an article regarding the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]]. To quote: "This collegiate tempest in a teapot might serve for the lads of the University to moot; but, surely, was unworthy the solemn adjudication attempted for it."<ref>[http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-tem1.htm World Wide Words - Tempest in a teapot], accessed 23 December 2006</ref> |
The phrase is at least a [[century]] and a half old, as evidenced in the January [[1838]] edition of the defunct ''The United States Democratic Review'', in an article regarding the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]]. To quote: "This collegiate tempest in a teapot might serve for the lads of the University to moot; but, surely, was unworthy the solemn adjudication attempted for it."<ref>[http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-tem1.htm World Wide Words - Tempest in a teapot], accessed 23 December 2006</ref> An 1820 issue of the ''Connecticut Gazette'' uses the phrase, and attributes it to British Lord Chancellor Thurlow.<ref>[http://firstmention.com/tempestinateapot.aspx Connecticut Gazette August 30, 1820]</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
Revision as of 13:19, 8 October 2007
- For other uses, see Storm in a Teacup
Tempest in a teapot (in American English), or storm in a teacup (in British English), is an idiom used commonly in English meaning a small event that has been exaggerated out of proportion.[1] There are also lesser known variants, such as storm in a cream bowl and storm in a wash-hand basin.
The phrase is at least a century and a half old, as evidenced in the January 1838 edition of the defunct The United States Democratic Review, in an article regarding the Supreme Court. To quote: "This collegiate tempest in a teapot might serve for the lads of the University to moot; but, surely, was unworthy the solemn adjudication attempted for it."[2] An 1820 issue of the Connecticut Gazette uses the phrase, and attributes it to British Lord Chancellor Thurlow.[3]
References
- ^ Using English - Storm in a teacup accessed 20 May 2007
- ^ World Wide Words - Tempest in a teapot, accessed 23 December 2006
- ^ Connecticut Gazette August 30, 1820