# Breathtaking (literally - what's going on physically?)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breathtaking-literally-whats-going-on-physically/661666>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 22, 2013, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breathtaking-literally-whats-going-on-physically/661666 "2013-06-22T23:07:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![standingwave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@standingwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standingwave)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2013, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breathtaking-literally-whats-going-on-physically/661666/1 "2013-06-22T23:07:26Z")

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This may be a silly question but it’s been difficult to Google, mainly because it’s such a common word. [The etymology](http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=breathtaking) is straightforward:1867, from breath + present participle of take (v.). Phrase to take (one’s) breath away with astonishment or delight is from 1864. Breathtaking (n.) “act of taking breaths or a breath” is from 1620s. Related: Breathtakingly.  
But what is happening on a physical level? We all experience it. The sudden little catch in one’s breath when seeing something (or someone) who is well, breathtaking, for want of another word. Is it just a sudden quickening of the pulse causing a demand for more air?