Spring Fever

[Robinia]

Where & when did this term originate & is there really such a thing?

[Quizmonster]

The earliest-recorded use of the phrase is in a book published in the 1840s which referred to: "a girl's spring-fever of sighs and blushes." That definitely has an awakening-sexuality ring to it, which matches the notion of a young man's fancy turning to thoughts of love at springtime.

During the next decade, however, Bartlett's American Dictionary defined it as "the listless feeling caused by the first sudden increase of temperature in spring". A very drab explanation by comparison with the first one above!

If young men's and young women's thoughts do turn to love at that time of year especially - and I suspect they do - I'd say there definitely is such a thing as loving spring fever in Britain. Let the Yanks keep the listlessness!

[Robinia]

Thank you - knew you wouldn't let me down Qm! This follows my question in People & Places about aggression. So maybe,once we've all made our voices heard, we'll all furiously kiss & make up!!

[Quizmonster]

Let's hope so, N! (Thanks for the kind comment, too.)

[woofgang]

or shake hands...lets keep this british :-)