# Origin of Southern phrase

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-southern-phrase/110709>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 24, 2002, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-southern-phrase/110709 "2002-05-24T21:02:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ice1000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a3d4f5/32.png) [@ice1000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ice1000)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2002, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-southern-phrase/110709/1 "2002-05-24T21:02:34Z")

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I had heard that the Southern phrase, “I’ve got the vapors!” is just a clever way for those charming southern ladies to pass gas and then have a great excuse to leave the room and get some fresh air.

I can’t find a corroboration of this. Can anyone help me out?

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**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2002, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-southern-phrase/110709/2 "2002-05-24T22:12:49Z")

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I think the expression was usually understood to mean the definition that my _Merriam Webster_ gives it. Unfortunately, you have to go through all the more modern meanings before you get to:

> [@](#):
>
> a depressed or hysterical nervous condition

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**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2002, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-southern-phrase/110709/3 "2002-05-25T17:05:48Z")

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It referred to feeling faint. Back in the days of tight, wasp-waisted corsets, women literally couldn’t get enough air. Swooning under emotional stress was common in those days.

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**Author:** ![Squish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8797f3/32.png) [@Squish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squish)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2002, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-southern-phrase/110709/4 "2002-05-25T18:16:01Z")

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That’s actually a common misconception about corsets. A properly fitted, properly laced corset does not constrict breathing and is, in my experience, far more comfortable than most bras. Women swooned under emotional stress because they were expected to be delicate, frail creatures (at least the middle- and upper-class ones; the working class just got on with it).

As far as “the vapors” goes, I’ve heard two explanations: the flautulence one and that it was an excuse to leave the room to use the facilities, as Victorian women didn’t announce, “'Scuse me, I’ve gotta pee.” \<g\>

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**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2002, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-southern-phrase/110709/5 "2002-05-29T13:50:17Z")

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OED lists “vapor” or “vapour” as meaning various acts of unusual behavior, none having to do with flatulence.

However, it’s too much to type here, and it is silent on the exact etymology of “vapor” meaning “behavior” (or is it “‘vapour’ meaning ‘behaviour.’”)😃