Tempest in a teapot

Tempest in a teapot

Tempest in a teapot (in American English), or storm in a teacup (in British English), is an idiom used commonly in English meaning a small event that has been exaggerated out of proportion. [ [http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/storm+in+a+teacup.html Using English - Storm in a teacup] accessed 20 May 2007] There are also lesser known variants, such as "storm in a cream bowl"Fact|date=July 2008 and "storm in a wash-hand basin"Fact|date=July 2008.

The phrase is at least a century and a half old, as evidenced in the January 1838 edition of the defunct "The United States Democratic Review", in an article regarding the Supreme Court. To quote: "This collegiate tempest in a teapot might serve for the lads of the University to moot; but, surely, was unworthy the solemn adjudication attempted for it." [ [http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-tem1.htm World Wide Words - Tempest in a teapot] , accessed 23 December 2006]

Both the American English and British English phrases are long preceded by Cicero's Latin "Excitabat enim fluctus in simpulo", meaning, literally, "He was stirring up billows in a ladle" (De Legibus, III, 16).

ee also

*American and British English differences

References


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • tempest in a teapot — If people exaggerate the seriousness of a situation or problem, they are making a tempest in a teapot …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • tempest in a teapot — {n. phr.} Great excitement about something not important. * /Bess tore her skirt a little and made a tempest in a teapot./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • tempest in a teapot — {n. phr.} Great excitement about something not important. * /Bess tore her skirt a little and made a tempest in a teapot./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • tempest in a teapot — noun A major fuss over a trivial matter. The media frenzy over the actors drunken behavior was a tempest in a teapot. Syn: storm in a teacup, storm in a tea kettle, storm in a teapot, tempest in a teacup, tempest in a tea kettle …   Wiktionary

  • tempest\ in\ a\ teapot — n. phr. Great excitement about something not important. Bess tore her skirt a little and made a tempest in a teapot …   Словарь американских идиом

  • tempest in a teapot —    If people exaggerate the seriousness of a situation or problem, they are making a tempest in a teapot.   (Dorking School Dictionary) …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • tempest in a teapot — See a tempest in a teapot …   English idioms

  • tempest in a teapot — great excitement about something not important The problem was really a tempest in a teapot and after a few days everyone had forgotten about it …   Idioms and examples

  • tempest in a teapot — a great commotion about a matter of small importance her anger was unreasonable, a tempest in a teapot E.A.McCourt …   Useful english dictionary

  • tempest in a teapot — Date: 1838 a great commotion over an unimportant matter …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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