Emotional hurricanes, anyone? Buckle up 🌪️ to uncover why your ancestors might have been so distraught they found themselves literally standing next to their emotions. Yes, welcome to the delightful phrase “beside oneself.”
Origin of the Phrase
The term “beside oneself” stems from an older use of the word ‘beside,’ which simply meant ‘outside.’ The earliest notable use of this expression comes from the King James Bible:
Acts 26:24: “Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.”
In today’s terms, Paul was so absorbed or overwhelmed in thought that he was, metaphorically, stepping outside his own sanity.
Emotional Contexts
Being “beside oneself” can refer to an array of strong emotions.
- Distress: “When the cat went missing, she was beside herself with worry.”
- Anger: “He was beside himself with rage after seeing the state of the house.”
- Grief: “Beside himself with grief, he couldn’t attend the funeral.”
- Happiness: “They were beside themselves with joy when they heard about the lottery win.”
Related Expressions
- Out of sorts: Feeling unwell or upset.
- All over the place: In a state of confusion or disarray.
- Off one’s rocker: Slightly mad or eccentric.
Proverb: “Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” —When in tumultuous emotional states, remember this one!
Synonyms & Antonyms
- Synonyms: discombobulated, perturbed, agitated
- Antonyms: content, composed, collected
Literature & Pop Culture References
- Books: “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger has multiple instances where Holden Caulfield is beside himself with various emotions.
- Movies: Think of ‘Inside Out’ by Pixar 🎥, which personifies emotions and possibly even illustrates the ‘beside oneself’ concept.
- Poetry: Emily Dickinson often played around themes where an individual could be overwhelmed by their emotional surges.
Quiz Time!
Vignette
Picture a scene during finals week at any university 📚. Students are often pivoting precariously between conquering their text-heavy dragon and being beside themselves with anxiety. This phrase becomes a cloak for their turbulent emotional states and a signal for sympathy.
So, the next time you say you’re “beside yourself,” spare a thought for our ancient texts, and marinate in the wisdom of language’s rich history. You stand not alone but beside a multitude who’ve felt the tides of strong emotions, just like you, through ages long gone. ✨
W. T. Wittywords,
October 11, 2023
“In truly overwhelming moments, know it’s okay to be beside oneself; it’s why we’re given the capability to feel deeply.”
