“I’m (one is) extremely eager to do something.” 💫 The use of “itch” for “desire” is almost as old as the desire to scratch something that itches. “Our fingers wyll itch at hym,” wrote John Stubbs The Discoverie of a Gaping Gulf (1579), and soon afterward, Shakespeare penned, “If I see a word out, my finger itches to make one” (The Merry Wives of Windsor, 1601). Fast forward to Charles Kingsley who exclaimed, “The men’s fingers are itching for a fight” (Hypatia, 1853), the phrase later morphed into the shorter, more frequently-used “itching for a fight.” See also “itchy palm.”
Synonyms:
- Eager to
- Raring to
- Keen on
- Chomping at the bit
Antonyms:
- Reluctant
- Unenthusiastic
- Indifferent
- Apathetic
Related Terms & Idioms:
- Champing at the bit: A nod to the eagerness of a fired-up horse.
- Itchy feet: The desire to travel or change situations.
- Burning desire: As intense as fire!
- Gnawing at you: When desire feels like a persistent nibble.
Humor-filled Quote:
“I’m so eager to start this project, you’d think I left my patience in my other pants!” —Anonymous Procrastinator
Proverbs & Expressions:
- “He who is itching to see the world now, may well scratch his head later.” — meaning sometimes, hastiness leads to unexpected trouble.
- “Better safe than itchy.”
Literary, Song, & Movie References:
- Book: The Burning Desire by Sylvia Evans. A tale of a character driven by an unyielding itch to achieve greatness.
- Song: “Chomping at the Bit” by The Travelling Trobadours. Fun and catchy!
- Movie: Eager Beavers, a comedy about determined go-getters.
Quizzes:
Inspirational Thought-Provoking Farewell:
Whether your fingers are itching to type a novel, craft a masterpiece, or embark on an adventure, may you always find the courage to scratch that itch and chase your dreams with fervor.
Till our next linguistic adventure,
✨ W. T. Wittywords
