spitting feathers

[fishie]

i have always known this to mean thirsty, as in very dry mouth. but i have seen lots of people use it to mean angry.

one explanation suggests it is literally frothing at the mouth, so looks like feathers = rage.

what is correct?

[CristinaTheAstonishing]

I've always known it as meaning angry. But then English isn't my first language.

[FAQ]

I've always thought it means very angry....

[onepieceoflollipop]

I think that both may be correct; perhaps regional variations?

[CristinaTheAstonishing]

This is my first foray into the "Pedants' corner". Is it OK not to use capitals at the start of sentences?

[FAQ]

although according to this website it can mean either!

[FAQ]

thirsty but wrongly interpreted by the southerners??

[fishie]

just asked dh what he thinks "it means someone is so angry they can't eat their chicken"

[onebatmother]

Fishie, I think the rest of the English-speaking world might be confusing it with 'spitting nails', which means v angry.

[fishie]

Cristina just for you i'll try a few capitals but this keyboard is Not Good.

FAQ your link makes good sense. i may well have got it from beano or other comics, much play with pillows and feathers which would explain the northern thing. i am southern you see.

[fishie]

isn't that another northernism 'spitting tacks' onebat? spitting fire good ole rage.

[CristinaTheAstonishing]

It's OK, Fishie, my first post on these kind of threads and still gauging reaction, whether it's all very serious or more light-hearted.

[IorekByrnison]

I've always thought it implied impotent rage.

Didn't know about thirsty origins. Am soft southern bastard.

[Elephantsbreath]

I am southern and always understood it to describe incredible thirst, as in: 'Whose round is it I'm spitting feathers?!'