🎭 Pale in the Face: Timeless Terrors and Tints of Trepidation 🏰
Definition:
Pale in the face: A simile describing someone who looks visibly frightened or shocked, often associated with fear, anxiety, or illness.
Imagine a ghost doing your laundry and the faint surprise etched on its phantasmal visage. It’s that, but human.
Origins and Literary References:
The expression dates back to Shakespeare’s time. In Cymbeline (2.2), Shakespeare wrote, “And whiter than the sheets!” This term was repeated by influential authors such as Henry Fielding, Frederick Marryat, Artemus Ward, and Thomas Hardy. This frightened demeanor has held steady through the centuries, much like horror movies about haunted houses!
Synonyms:
- White as a sheet
- Ghostly pale
- Ashen-faced
- Colorless
- Bloodless
Antonyms:
- Flushed with excitement
- Rosy-cheeked
- Ruddy-faced
- Healthy glow
Similar Expressions:
- Turning white as a ghost
- Deer in headlights
- Frozen with fear
- Heart in your mouth
- Spine-chilling
Quotes:
- “Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. There was no one there.” — Elizabeth Cheney
Proverbs:
- “To show the white feather” – To behave in a cowardly manner.
- “Speak of the devil, and he shall appear” – Talking about someone who appears unexpectedly.
Recommended Reads:
- Book: Dracula by Bram Stoker – Plenty of moments to make one pale in the face.
- Literature: The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe – Shivers down the spine guaranteed.
- Poetry: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge – Bone-chilling nautical misadventures.
Film Suggestions:
- The Ring (2002) – Equally horrifying and, undoubtedly, paleness-inducing.
- Psycho (1960) – The original shower scene may inspire some ghostly pallor.
Song Suggestions:
- “Thriller” by Michael Jackson – There’s a reason your face loses color watching the King of Pop battle night terrors.
Quizzes
### Which of these literary works contains the phrase "pale in the face"?
- [ ] The Great Gatsby
- [x] Cymbeline by Shakespeare
- [ ] To Kill a Mockingbird
- [ ] Moby-Dick
> **Explanation:** The phrase "pale in the face" is used in Shakespeare's "Cymbeline."
### What emotion does "pale in the face" commonly signify?
- [x] Fear
- [ ] Excitement
- [ ] Anger
- [ ] Joy
> **Explanation:** "Pale in the face" often signifies fear or shock.
### Which synonym matches "pale in the face"?
- [ ] In high spirits
- [x] White as a sheet
- [ ] Blushing
- [ ] Red-faced
> **Explanation:** "White as a sheet" is commonly used synonymously with "pale in the face" to describe fear or shock.
Authored by I. M. Quixotic on a spooky day in 2023. Remember, fear is just an imagination running wild – unless it’s a ghost doing your laundry.
