Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Spitting Feathers? What do you think it means?

178 replies

erikbloodaxe · 18/09/2022 08:21

I was just reading an article where someone used 'Spitting feathers' to mean they were angry. Now I've only ever used the term/ heard the term in meaning I'm thirsty.

I'm in my 50's and now wonder when/if the meaning changed.

What does it mean to you, Angry or Thirsty and how old are you?

OP posts:
EthicalNonMahogany · 18/09/2022 08:21

Angry

Fraaahnces · 18/09/2022 08:21

Losing your shit. Spitting feathers/spitting chips, is explosive anger

user1471538283 · 18/09/2022 08:22

I've always thought it was thirsty. My DF used to say it. I'm 56.

AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair · 18/09/2022 08:22

It's always meant being angry, you may have just misunderstood when you first heard it

ThisUserNameIsAvailableOk · 18/09/2022 08:22

Angry

ApolloandDaphne · 18/09/2022 08:22

It means you are angry.

Marmite27 · 18/09/2022 08:22

Angry

GiantTortoise · 18/09/2022 08:22

Angry

creampuffs · 18/09/2022 08:23

I've only known it to mean very angry.

JustBkind · 18/09/2022 08:23

Definitely angry/annoyed.

Vinylloving · 18/09/2022 08:23

Definitely angry, I'm mid 30s. Never heard for thirsty though that's quite amusing!

sanityisamyth · 18/09/2022 08:23

Never heard it to mean thirsty. Only to mean very angry/livid.

Sswhinesthebest · 18/09/2022 08:23

Both - 54

Marmite27 · 18/09/2022 08:24

.

Spitting Feathers? What do you think it means?
MaryTruss · 18/09/2022 08:24

It's always been angry here - I'm very late 40s

OhamIreally · 18/09/2022 08:24

Thirsty I'm in my 50's.

NiceTwin · 18/09/2022 08:24

Mad as hell.

WithIcePlease · 18/09/2022 08:25

I've always thought spitting nails meant angry and spitting feathers thirsty

SirChenjins · 18/09/2022 08:25

It can mean either - but nowadays it’s most commonly used to mean angry

NooNakedJacuzziness · 18/09/2022 08:25

I thought thirsty was spitting cotton

bloodywhitecat · 18/09/2022 08:26

Angry. But I have heard it used in the other context too.

ApolloandDaphne · 18/09/2022 08:26

A quick Google tells me it can mean either.

CormoranStrike · 18/09/2022 08:27

Being very angry

TitInATrance · 18/09/2022 08:27

Angry. I’m in my 60s.

Keladrythesaviour · 18/09/2022 08:28

Angry, in my 30s (Midlands)