Spitting Feathers? What do you think it means?

[erikbloodaxe]

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?

i have only ever known it to mean angry. Mid 50s. Lived in South Wales, West Country, London & the Midlands.

Oh and I’m 40s

Thirsty
Mid 30s
Essex

Angry. I'm in my 30s. Only ever heard the thirsty meaning on here!

Thank you for this!
I’m mid 40s and I’d have said it meant angry. But this is pretty clear that thirsty is a much earlier meaning.
I’d also say spitting tacks meant angry. Maybe that “spitting” crossover is what’s caused the change / mixup.

Thirsty. NW

Angry

Angry for me, North Wales born and brought up!

40s, Liverpool, and 'spitting feathers' means thirsty to me - usually for a cup of tea or possibly a pint rather than water. My Scouse dad is in his seventies and has said it for as long as I can remember.

It's 'spitting tacks' for anger.

Thirsty.

'spitting teeth' for angry.

Old. Devon.

It means angry.

Angry

Angry. 30s and I'm Scottish.

Angry. 40s. Northern.

And that means what, am with your friends there??

@MichaelAndEagle perhaps it's an age thing.

I agree. I have only known it to mean being thirsty

I’ve only ever know it to mean angry.

Rage

I've always thought it's thirsty! But I've heard people use it for angry and thought huh? Your mouth is so dry your spit is like feathers makes sense.
Spitting tacks is angry as pp said. Spitting out hard sharp pieces of metal because you're so angry makes sense!

Angry rage.

Never heard it used to describe being thirsty.

Either and both.

Thirsty (40s, Yorkshire). I wonder when the angry interpretation crept in?

Angry. Early 50's and have lived SE, E, and East Midlands. Have never heard it used to mean thirsty

Both. Mid 50s, East Midlands.

I'll add "I couldn't spit a thre' penny bit" to mean "thirsty" from my gran.