Re: From hunger

Posted by R. Berg on August 20, 2005

In Reply to: Re: Heavy Weather posted by Steve E on August 19, 2005

: : : Heavy Weather (or "making heavy weather") and "From hunger."
: : "Heavy weather", in sailor's language, is difficult weather to sail in; weather that creates adverse winds and big waves against which a boat must struggle to make progress. If you "make heavy weather" of a task, you are struggling with it like a boat in bad weather.
: : "From hunger" means "because of hunger", as in "die of hunger". (VSD)

: In the US, back in the '70's and '80's, the expression "From Hunger" became very popular. I heard it, but I did not use it because such is not my thing. I know not how or where it started. It was used negatively, typically in matters relating to taste, style, fashion, etc. and almost exclusively between/among females.
: Example:
: Jane: "Did you see that blouse that Sue is wearing today"?
: Mary: "Oh, that pink and orange thing?--it's strictly from hunger!"

: The expression was typically preceeded by the word 'strictly' so as to convey that there was no other option or alternative--the unstylish thing was unquestionably (strictly) from hunger.

I think "from hunger" was Beat slang before speakers in the '70s took it up.