The Archive

Etymology Journal · S

Stop your bellyaching

Meaning

To stop complaining about something, especially if the complaint is perceived as petty or constant. It implies the person is making a big deal out of nothing.

Dismissive, blunt

Used in a sentence

  • Stop your bellyaching about the cold; it is January in Minnesota.
  • I am tired of hearing you bellyaching about the commute every single day.
  • Just finish the job and stop your bellyaching about how tired you are.

The backstory

A visual metaphor where the pain of the complaint is compared to a stomach ache. It has been used since the 19th century to dismiss whining.

Heard in

Nationwide

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