Welcome, dear reader, to a rather chatty chapter of “The Dictionary of Idioms, Clichés, and Expressions.” Buckle up, sit tight, and—oh, did you hear about the time when… ahem, I digress. Allow me to guide you through the zany world of not knowing when to zip one’s lips. 🌬️🤐
Run Off at the Mouth, To: This idiom aptly describes the phenomenon where an individual engages in non-stop talking, leaving listeners to wonder if stopping for a breath is merely an option for them. Imagine a mighty river of words flowing uncontrollably from someone’s mouth—endless and sometimes overwhelming.
Earliest Known Usage: Dating back to around 1900, this American slang was delineated in a 1909 issue of Dialect Notes. Author Alison Lurie master’s this phrase effortlessly in “Love and Friendship” (1962): “I’m a pig coming over here and running off at the mouth.”
Synonyms and Similar Terms:
- Blabbermouth: Someone who talks excessively and indiscreetly.
- Motor Mouth: Someone who talks at breakneck speed and with excessive zeal.
- Gab: Casual, relaxed talking or chatting.
- Bay of Gab: Someone who spouts off like there’s a gab-filled bay at their disposal.
- Jabber: To speak rapidly and incessantly.
Antonyms:
- Taciturn: Reserved and uncommunicative.
- Laconic: Using very few words; concise.
- Silent as the Grave: If only our subject could sometimes manage this!
Humorous Quotes:
- “He who runs off at the mouth often has his foot caught in it.”
- “He keeps talking, and somewhere, a village is missing its idiot.”
Related Proverbs and Expressions:
- “Empty vessels make the most noise.”: People who boast or talk a lot usually have little of real substance to say.
- “Still waters run deep.”: Silent people are often profound and thoughtful.
Suggested Readings and Watching:
- Literature:
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, where one might consider Mrs. Bennet a classic example.
- Moby Dick by Herman Melville, featuring the loquacious Captain Ahab.
- Books:
- Talk, Talk by T.C. Boyle
- Songs:
- “You Talk Too Much” by Joe Jones.
- “Words” by F.R. David.
- Poetry:
- Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll for a whimsical exploration of nonsensical chatter.
- Movies:
- Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: For the motormouth character of Ferris.
- Dead Poets Society: For inspiringly verbose speeches.
Related Link: For those interested in colloquialisms and American slang history, you might enjoy browsing through old [Dialect Notes](historical reference).
Quirky Quiz Time! 🎉
As you navigate through conversations, remember that sometimes less is more, but if by chance you ever catch yourself running off at the mouth, know you’re in verbose company! Until our next etymological escapade, stay mouth-wateringly marvelous. 🍽️💖
>- W. T. Wittywords
