Terry’s Misunderstood Idiom

“Fire in your Belly”

Vadym Pastukh photo

Your hear-and-read option:
Listen to Terry’s story as you read it (below).

Terry chuckled to himself, remembering the incident with Mark. It had been a few weeks ago, but the memory still tickled him.

He had been at his grandson’s high school graduation party, a swirling mass of bright young people, their futures stretched out before them like a freshly mown lawn, green and full of promise.

Terry, ever the observer, had perched on the edge of the patio furniture, a glass of lukewarm punch in his hand, watching the proceedings with a benign smile.

Mark, a lanky lad with a shock of unruly brown hair, had plopped down beside him. Terry knew Mark – one of his grandson’s friends – a polite, if somewhat intense, young man.

They had exchanged pleasantries, the usual “How’s it going?” and “Enjoying the party?” Then, Mark launched into a passionate explanation of his plans to study environmental science. He spoke of climate change, of dwindling resources, of the urgent need for sustainable solutions.

Terry, who had spent his working life in a factory, skillfully putting parts together with his hands, listened with interest.

When Mark paused for a breath, Terry, thinking he was offering encouragement, remarked, “Well, Mark, you certainly seem to have a fire in your belly.”

Mark’s animated face froze. His eyes widened, and a strange, panicked expression flickered across his features. He stammered, “Uh…fire…belly?”

Terry, completely oblivious to the misinterpretation, nodded. “Yes, a real passion. It reminds me of when I was a young man, full of vinegar and ready to take on the world.” He chuckled. “Though, I have to admit, my ‘world’ was mostly confined to the factory floor.”

Mark blinked, his Adam’s apple bobbing nervously. He glanced around, as if searching for an escape route. He mumbled something about needing to get another drink and quickly melted into the crowd across the room around the refreshment tables.

Perplexed, Terry watched him go. He thought he’d been complimentary. He’d meant it as a positive observation. He had even used the same expression on his own son, Dan, when he decided to join the army 40 years ago. He was proud of Dan back then, and he was proud of Mark’s ambition and focus now.

It wasn't until later, when he was recounting the story to his wife, Martha, that “the penny dropped.”

Martha hugged him and, with a guarded giggle, explained, “Terry, you can’t say that to a young man these days! ‘Fire in your belly’? It sounds like you’re accusing him of having indigestion or something!”

Terry was confused. “Indigestion? What are you talking about?”

Martha, still chuckling, had to explain. Apparently, in the current vernacular, “fire in your belly” could be interpreted as something unpleasant – something to do with stomach issues.

Terry’s face began to burn with embarrassment. He’d meant to praise the young man’s enthusiasm, and he probably ended up making him feel uncomfortable.

Weeks later, the embarrassment faded, replaced by guiltless amusement. He had even looked up the phrase online and discovered a whole host of alternative meanings, none of which had anything to do with passion or drive. He shook his head, marveling at the way common expressions evolved (or devolved) over time.

He thought of Mark, his earnest face, his passionate words about saving the planet. He hoped the young man hadn’t been too traumatized by the encounter. He imagined him recounting the story to his friends, exaggerating the details, perhaps even impersonating Terry’s “fire in your belly” pronouncement, much to the amusement of his peers.

Terry smiled. He could picture it now, the laughter, the good-natured ribbing. He could even picture himself joining in, chuckling along with them. After all, what was life if not a series of misunderstandings, some awkward, some humorous, all contributing to the rich tapestry of the human experience?

And this particular misunderstanding, well, it was certainly “one for the books.” He would have to remember to tell his grandson about it. Perhaps he’d even get a few laughs out of it himself.

And who knew, maybe Mark would learn a valuable lesson himself about the perils of interpreting an old-fashioned idiom literally.

Or maybe not. Terry chuckled again. Some things, he suspected, are simply lost in translation

Also hear and read Terry’s “parent story” from 2024

Go to “Daniel’s Tussle with Personal Vulnerability.”

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Jim Hasse, ABC, GCDF retired, author of “52 Shades of Graying”
Sharing our Insights Each Week as We Discover New Shades of Aging

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