If you say, “The worm has turned,” it means you’ve lost patience. Grant and Martha explain that this expression goes back to the old proverb “Tread on a worm and it will turn.” This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “The Worm has Turned”
Hello, you have A Way with Words.
Hello, this is Alberta from Winona, Minnesota.
Hi, Alberta. Welcome to the program.
Thank you.
What can we do for you?
Well, I have a question about the phrase, the worm turns.
My husband used it, and he said, I’ve always wanted to use this phrase.
And the context was, in essence, so you didn’t want kissing, and now you do.
Aha, the worm turns.
Nice.
And I said, I understand it means a switch in position.
I thought that’s an odd phrase because it seems a fairly strong phrase, but worms turning?
Where did that come from?
That’s my question.
Okay.
The roots of this expression are in an old proverb that goes, tread on a worm and it will turn.
I see.
And the idea is that even the lowest creature will turn on you and defend itself if you attack it.
Which is tough for a worm.
Right, which is tough for a worm.
And that confused me for a long time until I looked it up.
And it turns out that the word worm has been used to mean a snake or a dragon.
Or a dragon. I did know that.
Right, or a serpent back in the old days.
And that’s probably why Shakespeare used it in Henry VI when he said, the smallest worm will turn being trodden on and doves will peck in safeguard of their brood.
That even these tiny little defenseless creatures or low creatures will defend themselves if push comes to shove.
And over time, it’s come to expand a little bit and to mean the loser will become the victor.
Things will turn on their head, that kind of thing.
But the traditional meaning has to do with much abused patients, right?
Even the most patient person, if you continue to challenge their patients or abuse their patients, will eventually lose that patience and then just give you the what for.
Oh, I see. I didn’t know that aspect of it.
Yeah.
All right.
So that makes sense?
Yes, it certainly does.
Thank you for calling, Alberta.
Thank you. I really enjoy your program.
Okay. Thanks, Alberta. Bye-bye.
Bye-bye.
Is there an expression that’s been bothering you?
Call us, 877-929-9673, or send those emails to words@waywordradio.org.
And if you just can’t wait to talk with fellow word lovers, you can always find us on Facebook at Wayword Radio.
