🐂 To Bellow Like a Bull: Echoes of Ancient Outrage 🗣️
Ah, to bellow like a bull! This evocative phrase harkens back nearly 2,500 years, conjuring images as visceral today as when the Greek poet Aeschylus wrote, “He bellowed like a bull whose throat has just been cut.” It’s the kind of robust expression that makes you sit up straighter, sensing the vibration of the words as if a mighty bull indeed has commanded your attention.
Related and Similar Terms
- Roar: To utter a full, deep, prolonged cry, typically associated with strong emotion such as anger or pain.
- Howl: To make a long, loud, doleful cry, generally to express distress or sorrow.
- Yell: To shout something very loudly.
- Scream: A long, loud, piercing cry expressing extreme emotion or pain.
- Fury: Wild or violent anger.
Expressions and Idioms
- “Mad as a bull”: Intensely angry.
- “Seeing red”: Becoming very angry.
- “Blow a gasket”: To lose one’s temper explosively.
- “Hit the ceiling”: To get very angry suddenly.
- “Foaming at the mouth”: Displaying extreme anger or rage.
Insightful Quotes
- “When angry, count to four; when very angry, swear.” — Mark Twain
- “Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.” — Ambrose Bierce
- “Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” — Buddha
Proverbs and References
- Ancient Greek: “A bellow like a tethered bull” — Aeschylus.
- Shakespeare: “Jupiter became a bull and bellow’d” — The Winter’s Tale.
Recommendations in Literature and Media
Literature:
- “The Iliad” by Homer — Where rage becomes a towering force.
- “Moby Dick” by Herman Melville — Captain Ahab’s anger drives his relentless quest.
Poetry:
- “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas — Rage captured in a formidable lament.
Songs:
- “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele — Passion and outrage in full vocal strength.
Movies:
- “Network” (1976) — The unforgettable “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!” scene.
### Which of these is a real idiom about anger?
- [x] Seeing red
- [ ] Dancing the blues away
- [ ] Whispering sweet nothings
- [ ] Sailing with emotion
> **Explanation:** "Seeing red" is a widely recognized idiom indicating extreme anger. The others are mere fragments of potential idioms.
### True or False: 'To bellow like a bull' is a tautology
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** The phrase “to bellow like a bull” is somewhat tautological since "bellow" inherently means to roar as a bull.
### Which phrase illustrates explosive anger?
- [ ] Singing in the rain
- [ ] Tiptoeing through tulips
- [x] Blow a gasket
- [ ] Counting sheep
> **Explanation:** “Blow a gasket” refers to suddenly losing one's temper, spreading emotional "steam" everywhere.
Author: Ophelia Quill
Date: October 10, 2023
In conclusion, may we learn from the deep, guttural cries of ancient times that our modern emotions are just as potent. Through understanding these expressions, perhaps we can better control the “bulls” within us, and channel their strength more sagely.
