The worms were biting
It was mid-afternoon and the worms were biting. It was too early for supper, but something was required to allay the hunger pangs.
A bap, sliced in half, with lettuce, and cheese, satisfied me. I put a slice of Quorn in Barry’s bap, as well as lettuce and cheese. Quorn is a sort of ersatz ham, made from mycoprotein. I can’t tolerate mushrooms, so avoid it. We don’t buy ham or any other processed meat because it’s not good for kidney disease.
The dogs watched closely, hoping for titbits. I dropped the heart of the little gem lettuce, when I was making the snack, which Roxy enjoyed, but Gilbert missed out, poor starving boy!
‘The worms are biting’ is an old English colloquialism that means that someone is feeling very hungry, as if little worms are nibbling daintily at your innards.
It, and similar sayings, date back to the mid-1700s.
It is also used in fishing circles to enquire if the fishing is successful.
A rather unpleasant story, purported to be true (but who knows?) tells of a young boy who was fishing. When asked one day if the fish were biting, he replied that they weren’t, but the worms were. His father, on hearing that, blanched and rushed to find his son, but he was dead. When digging for bait, the boy had mistaken a nest of baby rattlesnakes for worms.
Baby rattlers are born with the fully developed ability to use their fangs and inject poison. However, they are less dangerous than adults, as they carry much less venom. Therefore, the story is probably apocryphal.
That is a sad story but the saying I remember from days of old, my old that is. I've never heard of Quorn, maybe I have and just forgot. I do love a nice fresh bap with lettuce and cheese. Thanks for another interesting post.
ReplyDeleteLettuce and cheese are made for each other. 😉
DeleteWe don't have rattlers in my area.
ReplyDeleteThat's probably a good thing!
DeleteSuch an enjoyable post!
ReplyDeleteI liked how you tied hunger to the old saying and then into folklore.
That rattlesnake tale gave me goosebumps.
It wasn't a nice snake story, was it?
DeleteNo, it wasn't but it was interesting.
Delete😃
DeleteNice post. The story of the boy, though might be apocryphal, is sad.
ReplyDeleteMy 'biting worms' are imaginary!
DeleteYikes on that story about the boy and snakes. I've never heard that term about the worms biting. Thank you for this interesting post.
ReplyDeleteI hope the story wasn't true . . . 😟
DeleteWhen I was little and we were hungry but Mum thought we'd had enough she always worried that we had worms!
ReplyDeleteThere was always the fear in the summer of tapeworms from pork, as far as I remember, not that we ever had pork. Chicken was the highlight, and that only once or occasionally twice a year.
DeleteIt’s a new saying to me, but the story is … I don’t know. Maybe interesting.
ReplyDeleteI hope the story is not true - there's enough unpleasantness in the world.
DeleteDefinitely not a funny story about a child being killed by rattlesnake bites. But it does remind me that years ago I sat on a bank next to a lake and non-venomous baby snake started growing out of the ground the side of me. It was a little upsetting at the time but I have long since learned to love snakes.
ReplyDeleteThat must have been quite startling! Snakes are interesting creatures, though.
DeleteThe saying made me think of fishing. That's a very sad story about the boy.
ReplyDelete😟
DeleteI had no idea that meant you were hungry. Sounds kinda gross.
ReplyDeleteI suppose it is, really. 🤢
DeleteOh how I do hope that the worm story with the little boy is just a tale. Once again...I've not heard this saying, but I plan on using it tomorrow when we have brunch...My kids will wonder what I'm talking about..lol...thanks so much... Happy Mother's Day weekend... Blessings
ReplyDeleteThey will wonder where you've been!
DeleteSo sad apocryphal is a new word for me
ReplyDeleteIt would be, if true.
DeleteUnless they all bit him at once! (It does sound apocryphal to me.)
ReplyDelete😃
ReplyDelete"The worms were biting." I had never heard that particular colloquialism so now I shall add that to my store of knowledge. (Likely to be promptly forgotten!) You do find such interesting things to write about.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dorothy. 😃
DeleteI have never heard that phrase before. The things I learn here! I have heard the snake story. I have one for you. When my father eas a child he came into the house his mother went into hysterics
ReplyDelete. His arms were covered in live bangles made from rattlesnakes. He had found a nest of rattlesnakes, picked them up one at a time stuffed their tales in their mouths and looped them on his chubby little arms. He was nettle arms.
Oh, my goodness. What a dreadful shock for his mother. Where to start in removing them?
DeleteAs I understand it, the poor snakes were rendered harmless by the fact they had their mouths full.
DeleteLove it!
DeleteI hope no worm will bite this night ! When I read this sentence I felt a bite ! I am sure that I will have a nightmare and dream of long worms with shark teeth ! I should use AI to create a worm !
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a peaceful night, Ingrid. It is never my intention to induce nightmares" 😇
DeleteInteresting saying...and backstory with the snakes. Another new one for me...as well as the words "bap" and "Quorn.". Those first three paragraphs threw me for loop.
ReplyDeleteJust imagine what havoc I could wreak if I set out to deliberately confuse! 😉
DeleteIt's true that baby rattlesnakes have a reduced volume of venom, but probably enough to be lethal in a child, and if several of them struck that would enhance the venom load.
ReplyDeleteIt's not worth the experiment.
DeleteLettuce, and cheese ... and a slice of tomato go well in a bap!
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Tomato is always a delicious addition. 😃
DeleteWhat? New to me and so darkly funny, imo.
ReplyDelete😟🤢
DeleteI have heard of fish biting but not worms.
ReplyDelete😃😷
DeleteWe have Quorn products here, mostly made of what they call "textured vegetable protein". I have never tried any, I prefer the real thing.
ReplyDeleteSo do I. 😃
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever come across that saying before.
ReplyDelete😃
DeleteWhat a fun expression!
ReplyDelete🤣😂
ReplyDelete