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Sports Cliches

9/17/2021

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​A television program I watched recently was chock full of mispronunciations and clichés ‒ my most proficient language ‒ and the thought struck me how many of the American English metaphors, clichés, and slang words come from the various sports.

Every profession has its own language where the words and phrases describe certain activities and situations. Sports are no exception. These words and phrases are used by the athletes who play, coaches, announcers, and fans ‒ those involved in the sport. However, a sports clichés described by those people are overused descriptions of those activities and situations related to that sport ‒ more in the nature of buzz words.
​
Take a look at what the “experts” claim as language unique to their sport. Don’t be surprised to see duplications. Can you identify which came first…the general language cliché or the sports terminology?
 

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BASEBALL Whether or not baseball was invented by the Americans ‒ there is still some debate ‒ it is still the All-American-Game.

The Washington Post, not too long ago, studied nearly 7,000 baseball interviews conducted over a time span of twenty years and complied a comprehensive list of what they called baseball clichés. The phrase “we gotta play ’em one day at a time” was used 485 times and “tip your cap”, over 300 times. If you think about it, out of 7000 conversations, these numbers are actually rather small.


● “It’s not over till the fat lady sings.”
The first recorded use of this phase is believed to be from Ralph Carpenter in the newspaper Dallas Morning News, March 1976. To give context for the following quote, a basketball game was being played and the score was tied.

● “Stepping up to the plate”
This phrase tells the batter to step up to home plate and prepare to bat the ball. From the late 1900s on it was frequently transferred to other enterprises, especially business, politics, and other sports even though they don’t use “plates”.

● “Rub some dirt on it”
This origins of this phrase are claimed by both baseball and football. Some claim in comes from very old medical advice. I hope they're wrong.


● “Three strikes and you’re out.                       ● “It ain’t over ’til it’s over”
● “Grab some bench”                                        ● “Going, going, gone”
● “Ducks on the pond”                                      ● “Back against the wall”
● “A Grand Slam”                                               ● “Kiss that one goodbye”
● “He crushed it”                                                ● “He sent that one into orbit”
● “He tattooed that one                                      ● “He was caught napping”
● “He wishes he could have that one back.”


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FOOTBALL 
American Football resulted from several major divergences from soccer and rugby, most notably the rule changes were instituted by a Yale University athlete and coach, Walter Camp, considered the "Father of American Football".

The so-called Football clichés sound more like existing clichés and terminology that have been adapted to football, rather than originating first as football language. But that’s just my impression. 

● “We have to come together as a team.”                   ● “There’s no “I” in team.”
● “He knows what it takes to win.”                               ● “He just knows how to win”

● "The game will be won in the trenches"                   ● "We need to air it out"
● “He has a motor that doesn't quit"                            ● “Too good to go down”
● “He gave 110% / he worked his socks off                 ● “Bad time to concede”
● "The defense is flying around with their ears pinned back"



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​BASKETBALL 
Basketball was invented by James Naismith on or about December 1. 1891, at the International Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Training School, Springfield, Massachusetts, where Naismith was an instructor in physical education. Basketball is the only major sport strictly of U.S. origin.


● “A defense that bends but doesn’t break.”             ● “Take care of the ball.”
● “We left it all on the court”                                        ● “He’s playing his game.”

● “They’re playing within themselves.”                      ● “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
● “He always gives 110%.”                                           
● “They've been ice-cold.”
● “They play above the rim.”.                                       ● “It's raining threes.”  
● “They're shooting the lights out.”                            ● “He can fill it up.”
● “He's automatic.”                                                       
● “He can really dish the rock.”    
● “He has the hot hand.”                                                
● “The winner can punch their ticket to The Dance.”


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GOLF 
The origins of the sport of golf are still widely debated, but it is generally acknowledges that the modern version of golf developed in Scotland from the middle ages onwards.

Golf did not become popular internationally until the late 19th century, when it spread into the rest of the British Empire and to the United States. Now it is one of the favorite social sports.


● “Fore!”
"Fore" is a word of warning yelled by a golfer who hits an errant shot. If your shot is in danger of hitting or landing very close to another golfer or group of players on the golf course, you should yell "fore!"

● “Drive for show and putt for dough.”
Putting is the difference between winning and losing on the major tours and this is probably how and why this golf term originated.

● “Never up, never in”
This is another one for the award of ‘captain obvious’ clichés that gets commonly heard around golf courses. It gets said when a golfer leaves a putt short of the hole that appears to be right on line.

● “That will bring rain”
● "It's pure golf."

● "You've got to know where to miss it."
Tour pros and average golfers both trot this one out often -- their way of saying it's taken them years of painstaking study to discover you don't want to hit your ball into one of the ponds.


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SOCCER 
● “Caught sleeping 
Usually used when a player has made a silly or foolish mistake that could have been entirely, easily avoidable.
● “Class act”
A phrase used in soccer to describe players or figures who have done something respectable or remarkable, on or off the pitch.

● “Clean sheet”
 When a team manages to not concede a single goal for the duration of the match.

● “Consolation”
A late goal in a loss that won’t change the score is a consolation goal.

● “Early doors”
Used by commentators to describe the opening stages of the game. For example, 'It’s just gone 10 minutes so it’s still early doors.'

● “End-to-end stuff”
Describing a match that is so action-packed and engrossing that it’s impossible to take your eyes off of it.

● “Hairdryer treatment”
This is Sir Alex Ferguson’s preferred post-match tactic. The legendary Scotsman would yell at his players mercilessly in the dressing room in order to motivate them – acting as the ‘hairdryer’ in this analogy.

● “In his pocket”
When a player has dominated their marked target for the duration of the game, usually used for defenders marking their forward counterparts.

● “Kill the game”
Used when a goal is scored to define the score line of the game and put an end to it.

● “Lost the dressing room”
When a manager or key figure in the team has lost the backing of the team or coaching staff.

● “Park the bus”
A favored tactic which involves setting up your entire team in a defensive shape in order to tire out opponents and preserve the clean sheet.

● “Couldn’t Hit A Cow's Backside With A Banjo"
This particular phrase relates directly to those players whose job it is to find the back of the net.

● "Got The Bottle"
If someone does or does not have the bottle, it means that will they stand up to a high pressured scenario.

● "Stepping Up To The Plate"
This means that no matter what side of the bed a player falls out of, it is up to them to give 110% when they step on to the hallowed turf.

●"Putting In a Shift"
A player can often turn in a great performance but if they have gone above and beyond the call of duty then this is referred to at times as putting in a shift.

● "Into the mix”
When games are tense and run into overtime, teams often launch the ball into the 18 yard box. This is done for a host of reasons but ultimately, it is to force the issue of trying to score. This is often referred to by commentators as putting the ball “into the mix.”

● "Not Over Till The Fat Lady Sings"
Under normal circumstances, it is down to the referee to call a game to an end. Yet, as many commentators know, the match is definitely not over until the fat lady sings. This phrase is one of the most common used and has been utilized in numerous situations by numerous sports.

● "Onion Bag"
Another phrase for the goal, the onion bag has often been spoken about by a wealth of commentators around the globe. But the onion bag signifies a bulging net full of not vegetables but footballs. It is believed that the onion bag originated back because goal nets were previously made from an onion bag, or so the rumor goes.


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THE "SWEET" SCIENCE"  OF BOXING
For those you who aren’t boxing fans, the “Sweet Science” is the term used for sport of pugilism.

British sportswriter Pierce Egan called boxing the ‘sweet science’ in 1813 since it is a sport that requires fighters to be tactical and scientific in their approach. The term is still used today by many fighters and analysts. A modern example of a boxer that exemplifies the essence of the sweet science is Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Mayweather is methodical, and uses his left jab to break his opponents down. He is the master of defensive boxing. He is a safety first fighter that sticks to his game plan to ensure victory. His record is 50 fights fought, fifty fights won. Looks like the strategy works.

This sport brings to the table many terms, metaphors, and clichés used by many people, whether or not they know where the words came from.

● “Beat someone to the punch”
The cliché means throwing the first punch before your opponent can. This boxing sense is from 1913 while the figurative meaning came about just couple of years later.

● “Below the belt”
This term, meaning unfair, comes from the unfair and illegal boxing maneuver of hitting someone in the nether regions. The phrase gained its figurative meaning around 1889.

● “Blow by Blow”
This term relates to a very detailed description of a boxing match and was originally used starting in the early 1920s. By the 1940s, blow-by-blow was being used in a non-boxing sense, perhaps first by mystery writer Hilda Lawrence in her novel Death of a Doll: "Maybe we'd better get together. Blow by blow description."

● “Glutton for punishment”
Glutton meaning an enthusiast for something—a glutton for books, for example—has been in use since the early 1700s. However, the phrase glutton for punishment, one who refuses to leave a losing situation, is a mid-1800s term that comes from pugilism.

● “Groggy”
The word we know as meaning sleepy or out of it originally meant “intoxicated,” and came from grog, an old-time alcoholic beverage. Groggy meaning “dazed” is from the boxing ring, meaning weakened in a fight, hence staggering, shaky, and unsteady.

● “Killer instinct”
Killer instinct was first used to describe American prize fighter Jack Dempsey in the early 1930s. Now the term refers the drive to succeed in anything and at any cost.

● “On the ropes”
When a fighter is pushed up against the ropes of the boxing ring by his opponent, he’s in big trouble. Hence, the figurative meaning of on the ropes is being near defeat or in poor condition.

● “Palooka”
The word palooka originally referred to a mediocre prizefighter. The prizefighter sense originated around 1926, and is credited to Jack Conway, the editor of Variety magazine. Joe Palooka was a 1920s comic that featured a dim-witted boxer with a heart of gold, which helped popularize the “oafishness” connotation of the word.

●
“Pluck”
In late 18th century pugilism slang, a brave fighter was said to have pluck. Pluck earlier referred to the heart and entrails of a slaughtered animal, or that which could be “plucked” from a carcass. The figurative sense in fighting was that of courage, which at the time was believed to reside in the heart.

●.”Punch-Drunk”
This term meaning dazed and confused originated in boxing parlance referring to a fighter stupefied by too many punches to the head. Later, punch-drunk came to mean a neurological condition seen often in boxers and formally known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

● “Roll with the punches”
Originally, to roll or ride with the punches, or to adapt easily to adverse circumstances, comes from the fighting maneuver of moving or rolling one’s head and body away from a blow to lessen its impact. Now it’s used to mean go along with what happenes. Go with the flow.

● “saved by the bell”
 Saved by the bell is an idiom meaning to be rescued at the last moment from a sticky situation, usually by a stroke of good luck. While there’s a wide-held belief that the origin of the phrase has to do with a 17th-century fear of being buried alive and subsequent coffins equipped with bells to save any such unlucky individuals, it’s actually—you guessed it—a boxing term referring to a losing fighter being “saved” by a bell that signals the end of a round.

● “throw in the towel”
To throw in the towel, or give up, came from the early 20th-century boxing practice of literally throwing a white towel into the ring when admitting defeat. This convention comes from an earlier one of throwing up a sponge to admit defeat, hence another giving-up phrase, “to throw (or chuck) up the sponge.”

● “throw one's hat in the ring”
While throwing in the towel signifies giving up, throwing one’s hat in the ring shows you’re ready for a fight. This custom is from at least the early 1800s, a time when most men wore hats, and would have been more reliable than trying to make yourself heard over a noisy, fight-thirsty crowd.

● “bare-knuckle”
This means fierce or determined (from boxing done without gloves).

● “come out fighting/swinging”
The term means the boxer should be immediately aggressive or energetic.


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There are far fewer sports terms than I expected which have become common metaphors or clichés. The majority are from boxing and some from baseball.

That makes sense. Pugilism in some form has been around since the 3rd millennium BC. The earliest appearance of boxing in history comes from Sumerian artifacts found in Iraq. Other evidence has been found in Assyria and Babylonia. Later, the sport moved on to Greece and Rome.
 
Modern boxing was introduced by Jack Broughton, a bare-knuckle boxing champion, with boxing’s first set of rules for modern times, and many of these are present in ever rules used today.

Given the history, it is not surprising that the sport terminology evolved before it was absorbed into the English language as metaphors and clichés.

JUST SAYIN
■
Sources:

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/63958/15-common-phrases-come-boxing#:~:text=15%20Common%20Phrases%20that%20Come%20from%20Boxing%201,...%206%20KILLER%20INSTINCT.%20...%20More%20items...%20

https://www.theboxingplanet.com/why-is-boxing-called-the-sweet-science/#:~:text=Boxing%20is%20called%20the%20sweet%20science%20because%20it,1813%20by%20British%20journalist%20and%20sportswriter%20Pierce%20Egan.

https://rotisserieduck.com/2018/09/07/baseball-cliches-good-bad/
https://www.sportsfeelgoodstories.com/sports-cliches/#:~:text=%EE%80%80Basketball%EE%80%81%2
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origins_of_baseball

https://evolve-mma.com/blog/the-history-and-origins-of-boxing/#:~:text=The%20earliest%20appearance%20of%20boxing%20in%20history%20comes,wrapped%20fists%20for%20the%20first%20time%20in%20sport.

https://sportslens.com/football-cliches/86789/#:~:text=The%20https://www.dailywritingtips.com/55-boxing-idioms/12%20most%20annoying%20football%20clich%C3%A9s%201.%20Football,player%2C%20and%20almost...%203.%20A%20great%20advert%20

https://247sports.com/college/byu/LongFormArticle/College-football-cliches-byu-football-2021-season-projection-167967562/#167967562_8
​

https://www.dailywritingtips.com/55-boxing-idioms/
https://www.sporcle.com/games/Rocky123/basketball-cliches
https://www.sportsfeelgoodstories.com/sports-cliches/#:~:text=%EE%80%80Basketball%EE%80%81%2
https://www.sportsfeelgoodstories.com/sports-cliches/#:~:text=%EE%80%80Basketball%EE%80%81%2
https://hittingitsolid.com/blog/golf-cliches/
http://www.sportscliche.com/basketball.html
https://hittingitsolid.com/blog/golf-cliches/
https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/soccers-slang-cliches-idioms-explained-what-do-they-mean/io4qmsxgr1j516fthrel36lvh
https://www.britannica.com/sports/basketball
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_golf
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Emotion Thesaurus For Writers - Part 4

9/10/2021

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NOTE: Most of the thesaurus content herein comes from various sources, but i have added my share based on experience as a writer. The facial expressions, in part, are from “Entusiasti Blog” (march 19, 2014). Facial expressions and other physical behavior are largely from “The Blog Muse”, emotion thesaurus posted by Angela Ackerman before she and Becca Puglisi published their books. The full list of sources is at the end.
EMOTION THESAURUS – PART 4
CONTEXT IS EVERYTHING
Take all things into account when describing a scene so that the facial expressions, body language, and context all match the situation and the reactions that you, as the author, intend it to mean. Never assume readers know what you mean. They don't know what the author is thinking.

LONELINESS
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Facial Expression
● Unsmiling, or sad smile; expressionless
● Dull or watery eyes/a gaze that convey longing
● half-lidded eyes; a downcast gaze
● A lack of eye contact
● Downward tilt of head
● Slight frown
 
Other Physical Behavior
● Avoids crowds or large events
● People watches, craving contact
● Wears comfort clothes
● Uses books, the Internet, TV to 'escape' and generate a feeling of interaction
● Rubbing shoulders through clothes, hugging shoulders
Other Physical Behavior continued
● Bringing feet up when sitting, scrunching up
● A desire to be included, wanted
●Expression crumples at people showing expression
● Pain in the chest
● False bravado that one is fine or happy as things are
● Tears, sadness, depression
● Gives an abnormal amount of love and attention to someone or something, trying to fill the void

● Overeating
● Binging in other ways (home shopping network, buying self 'treats' to perk up mood like shoes, candles, jewelry--items that aren't needed)
● Frequent phone calls to family or friends
● A willingness to talk to strangers just to interact
● A disinterest in appearance or an abnormal/obsessive interest in appearance
● Slumped shoulders, limp posture
● Adheres to routine; schedules things on certain days to look forward to it, keeps busy with
● Workaholic, filling the void with work
● Avoids social situations because a feeling of inadequacy
● Over friendliness, pushing self on people in hopes of being liked

LOVE / ATTRACTION / FLIRTATION
Love                                                 Flirtatiousness/Falling in Love
                  entusiastiq.blogspot.com/facial-expressions                                           entusiastiq.blogspot.com/facial-expressions
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Facial Expression
When we feel longer-lasting love, our facial expression often resembles happiness: The zygomatic major muscle pulls the lip corners up, and there’s a tightening of the lower eyelid.

But the distinct expression of love combines these muscle movements with a tilt of the head to the side. That’s a sign of intimacy and connection beyond just happiness.
​

● A genuine, soft smile
● Wrinkles around eyes, pouching of the lower lid
● Crinkling of the face with a genine smile
● Frequent eye contact, particularly when talking
● Eyes sparkle and are alert
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Other Physical Behavior - Love
● The whole body seems to smile frequently
● Gazing into each other’s eyes
● Shoulders leaning in, particularly when talking
● Paying attention to details
● Small gestures of physical contact, holding hands, brushing fingers across cheek, etc.
● Walking side by side; touching
● Feelings of warm fuzzies in the core
​● Sitting together in quietness without needing to speak
● Finishing each other’s sentences
Facial Expression
● A coy, flirtatious smile.
● Turning head away to signal ‘I’m not interested in you,’ but simultaneously making eye contact. [That’s a universal display that reflects the ambivalence of flirtation]
● The zygomatic major muscle pulling the lip corners up, which also raises the cheeks slightly.
● Eyes are narrower than in a neutral state because the orbicularis oculi muscles around the eyes contract, suggesting feelings of happiness
● Staring, mouth slightly open
● Eyes wide
 

Other Physical Behavior – Flirtation and Falling In Love
● Unsteady on feet
● Mouth going dry ; unable to speak
● Non-stop talking
● Shyness
● Throat clearing, swallowing
● Fluttering in stomach, feeling of nausea
● Tongue getting tangled, going speechless
● Nervous behaviors: shuffling feet 
● Moistening lips
● Worrying over appearance
● Feelings of insecurity
● Mental fuzziness, lightheadedness
● Difficulty focusing on tasks
● Feeling faint
● Quick, shallow breathing
● Pulse racing
● Heart beating, banging, hammering
● Jangling nerves, jumpiness
● Tingling skin, limbs, a hyper-awareness of the body
● Weak knees or legs
● Exhibiting obsessive behavior
● Showing affection—stroking an arm, cheek; holding hands, kissing, hugging
● Swaying to bump against other person
● Electric feeling at accidental touches
● Exchanging personal effects
● Sitting together, legs touching, arm around shoulders
● Feeling or displaying jealousy at the attention from another toward your love interest

LYING
Lying isn’t exactly an emotion but it is something writers need to handle in novels. Not every lie involves emotions, but those that do cause special problems for the liar… and maybe the author.
​
An attempt to hide a feeling or conceal an emotion at the moment it is felt could be betrayed in words, but except for a slip of the tongue, it usually isn’t. But it can be detected in facial expression.

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Mark Bouton, an FBI agent for 30 years and author of "How to Spot Lies Like the FBI” gives some practical hints on how to tell when someone is lying.
​
Body Language
● Eyes dart back and forth.
"This is a physiological reaction to him feeling uncomfortable or trapped by your questions that he doesn't want to answer," Bouton says.
Body Language Continued
​
● Eyes blink rapidly, five or six times in rapid succession
.

"A person will ordinarily blink about five or six times a minute, or once every 10 or 12 seconds," Bouton says. "When stressed — for instance, when someone knows he's lying — he may blink five or six times in rapid succession."
● Closing eyes for more than one second at a time.
● Right landed people usually look to the right when they are trying to remember what they saw.

"When you ask a normal, right-handed person about something he's supposed to have seen, if he looks upward and to his left, he's truly accessing his memory of the incident,"
● Right landed people usually look directly to the right when lying about something they heard.
​

● Right handed people look down to the right when lying about smells or sensations.
"His eyes will shift downward and to his left if he's going to tell you his memory of a smell or touch or sensation, such as a cold draft or a terrible odor," Bouton explains. "But his eyes will shift down and to his right if he's going to lie."

● Bunched skin beneath and wrinkles beside the eyes indicate a real smile
●Face touching
● Excessive sweating
● Pursed lips

​Quoting Mark Bouton
Authors: Rachel Gillett and Samantha Lee 
Jan 11, 2019
https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-tell-someones-lying-by-watching-their-face-2016-1#take-note-of-what-youre-asking-them-5

PAIN                           
Physical  ​
Pain is the body’s “dashboard light” when something is wrong. It is the distressing feeling often caused by intense or damaging stimuli, which can be both physical and emotional.

Physical responses can vary depending on which kind of pain is involved. In medical diagnosis, pain is regarded as a symptom of an underlying condition.


Facial Expression
When we feel pain, our facial muscles move in ways that contract the face and protect us from harm.


● In the upper half of the face, the orbicularis oculi muscles around the eyes contract, closing the eyes tightly. Eyes can also squeeze shut
● The corrugator muscle lowers the eyebrows; deep frown with lines between eyes
● Lips tighten and press upwards.
● If eyes open, they appear glassy or glazed over
● Pale or Blotchy skin
● Clenched teeth

       entusiastiq.blogspot.com/facial-expressions
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Other Physical Behavior – Physical Pain
● Probing the pained area and wincing
● Hobbling about, taking tentative steps
● Tightness in the expression
● Shuddering breaths
● Taking a deep breath before moving
● Tight muscles, rigidness
● Expelling a grunt or pained hiss at exertion
● Asking for aid (to move, to get something, to call for help)
● Trying to sleep it off
● Short-temperedness
● Depression
● Gripping onto people or nearby objects for additional support
● Arms wrapped around middle
● Rocking back and forth


Emotional
​Emotional pain can be described as heart-ache which results from a painful experience, such as the loss of a loved one. It can stem from depression, anxiety, disappointment, fear or guilt, and tends to worsen when you replay and relive painful, traumatic events that occurred in the past.
​
​Other Physical Behavior - Emotional
Physical behavior may resemble other emotions such as disappointment, empathy, loneliness, or sadness.
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● Clenched stomach
● Tight chest
● Hearing one's own heartbeat in ears
● A throbbing pain in chest
● Speechlessness
● Mouth opening in shock, gaping
​
● Shaking head in denial
● Tears, sobbing, wailing
​● A clogged throat or thickness in throat
● Weariness; Numbness; ● Weak knees
● Shaking, trembling
Other Physical Behavior – Physical Pain\
● Rubbing at the offending spot
● Nausea
● Dizziness
● Fainting/blacking out
● Buckling knees
● Hallucinations
● Racing heart
● Pulsing blood
● Shaking fingers; Trembling limbs
● Pale or Blotchy skin
● Feeling cold or feverish
● Dry mouth
● Gasping for breath
● Screaming or crying; 
Moaning/groaning
● Sweating

● Biting lip
● Unable to articulate self to others
● Depression
​● Flight response

● Unsteady of feet; stumbling
● Falling into a chair or slumping to th
e floor
● An inability to eat or sleep
● Obsessing on the person/event that causes the pain
●Anger; lashing out at those around you
● Wanting to be alone; avoiding others
● Closed body language: pulling knees to chest, curling up, slumping over chest, etc
● Kneading/rubbing or pressing at chest
● Loss of breath; ● Hyperventilation
● Head hanging down, hair in face
● Unkempt appearance
● Not caring about other's needs

RELIEF
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Other Physical Behavior - continued
● Breaking down/tears
● A gasp, moan, shout
● Breaking down/tears
● A gasp, moan, shout

Facial Expression
​
● Pursed mouth,
● Eyes turn up, looking heavenward
● Wide eyes or lowered lids
● Slightly raised eyebrows
● A slow smile

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Other Physical Behavior
​● Hand covering mouth or eyes
● Back or palm of hand to forehead
● Letting out a long breath; whew!
● Shaking head and closing eyes

● Dry mouth
● Repeating self, talking too much
● A need to sit down and let the relief sink in
● Hands tremor
● Reaching out to another for comfort
wanting to be held
● Body slumping, losing stiff posture
● Shaky laughter
● Falling back into a chair; sagging against a wall
● Ask/demand someone to repeat good news
● Shaky knees, legs
● Struggle to speak, find the right words
● Crying/calling out in release
● Touching face, hair
● Rocking back and forth
● Mouth gaping in shock
● A compulsion to thank others involved
● Pressing hands to stomach, over heart
● Head bowing down briefly
● Compulsive nodding
● Letting head fall back
● Uttering a soft curse or thanking God

RELUCTANCE
You feel reluctance when you have to do something that you don’t feel like doing. For instance, when you remember you still have to do the dishes, when you have to spend money on a necessary car repair, or when friends urge you to tell an embarrassing story.

Although these routine examples are quite different, they follow the same principle: there is an activity that is unpleasant, but that you have to engage in for reasons that are more important than the displeasure.

The opposite is also possible; sometimes we refrain from doing something that is pleasant, but we know we shouldn’t do.


Facial Expression
● Pressing lips together
● Gritting teeth
● A grimace, a pained look
● Eyebrows squeeze together, a focused inward look of discomfort
● Eyes glance around uneasily
● The head pulling back as the shoulders push forward.
● A faked smile, filled with discomfort
● Biting lips
Facial expression may look similar to guilt.


Other Physical Behavior
● Hesitation in speech and in movement
● Tense arms, shoulders, or face.
● Pressing a hand to stomach
● A hard, obvious swallow
● Wetting lips and giving a jerky nod of assent
● Tension in arms, shoulders, face 
● Biting nails
● Pinching the bridge of the nose and squeezing eyes tight
● Tapping a fist against the lip or other repetitive behaviors

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Other Physical Behavior - continued
● Reaching out slowly to assist or take something
● Experiencing a moral dilemma
● Taking a deep breath before acting
●Backing away from a situation, avoiding notice
● Shaking hands, nervous twitching
●· Hands half curling into fists and then straightening
● Stuttering, stammering
● Making excuses, lying
● Holding a hand up, warding someone off
●Asking for someone else to help/ act instead
● A pained or look of guilt
● Hand fluttering to lips or neck, as if to cover
● General Fidgeting: running hand through hair distractedly, pacing, looking for an exit
● Trying to brush off the situation or pretend things are fine to avoid responsibility
● Jumpiness
● Trying to change the topic, divert attention, etc to not become involved
● Citing a list of things to prove why they are too busy, not well enough equipped to handle the task or is the wrong person to ask
● Closed body language; hands up in front

RESENTMENT
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Facial Expression
Most often resentment causes a pinched and bitter facial expression.

​Unlike many emotions, resentment does not have physical tags exclusively related to it that telegraph when a person is feeling this emotion. However, physical expressions associated with related emotions such as anger and envy may be exhibited, such as furrowed brows or bared teeth.


● Narrowed eyes; glaring eyes or refusing to make eye contact
● Frown
● Lips compressed and turned down
● Bared teeth
● Pouting
● Scrunched face


Other Physical Behavior
●·Crossing arms over chest
●·Hunched shoulders, pouting
●·Spinning away in a huff
●·Lifting your chin up sharply
●·Refusing to apologize, or giving a forced apology
● Rolling eyes

●·Rudeness
●·Complaining to others
●·Mumbling, muttering, cursing
●·Sulking, moping, whining

Other Physical Behavior - continued
​●·A dark look, giving someone the 'stink eye'
●·Tension in neck, shoulders, arms
●·Sharp movements: stalking off, stomping up the stairs, swinging arms determinedly to show defiance
●·Displaying anger such as giving someone a shove, breaking something
●·Shouting
●·Locking oneself into a bedroom or bathroom, refusing to come out
●·Refusing to speak to someone or interact with others
●·Refusing to eat
●·Showing defiance through other means (doing or not doing something)
●·Purposely trying to push people's hot buttons to get them upset or ruin their time
●·Kicking at the table when sitting, thumping foot against a table leg or chair on purpose to annoy others
●·Having vengeful thoughts towards others
●·Angry tears
●·Accusing people (parents, teachers, a girlfriend/boyfriend, etc) of not loving them, or favoring someone else above them.
●·A desire to spoil other peoples moods
●·Gossip-mongering, trying to damage someone's reputation
●·Cattiness
●·Purposeful ignoring


RESIGNATION
Resignation is the state of surrendering because one must, often with little or no resistance. It is a kind of acceptance of the state of things and hoping the outcome will be favorable but accepting that it may not be. In a way, it’s giving up hope.

Facial Expression
● Loose jaw
● Lips slightly compressed and turned down at one corner or both
●Eyebrows pulled into a slight frown in center and turned up at sides
● Wrinkled forehead
● A dimming gaze; glazed eyes
● Trembling chin
● Bunching up  bottom lip, then loosening
Facial expression much like sadness.


Other Physical Behavior
●
Sighing dejectedly; A long exhale
● Slumped or sagging shoulders
● Blank features
● Stooped posture
● Shuffling footsteps
● Small steps
● Tears

● A monotone voice
● Becoming less verbal over time
● Answering with a small nod
● A half-hearted shrug
● Expression leaves face
● Looking down or away
● A mirthless smile

● Muttering, mumbling
● Movements are stilled
● Head in hands, silent tears
● Propping cheek up with fist
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Other Physical Behavior - continued
● Being at a loss for words
●A shake of the head
● Head tipping back on neck to look skyward
● 'Falling' into a seat
● Agreeing without caring
● Rubbing hand through the hair in distraction
● Clasping hands together
● Leaning forward, elbows on knees
● Limp hands & arms
● Staring off at nothing
● Head hanging
●Feeling directionless
● Becoming less verbal; words trickle off
● General disinterest in everything
● Non responsive or slowed response to stimulus (loud noises, activity, a person speaking)
● A desire to sleep or tune out
● Depressed hunger and thirst


SADNESS / GRIEF​
Sadness is a transient, or short-lived, emotional state generally associated with with negative moods and unhappy feelings.

Sadness is considered to be one of the basic human emotions and it is a natural response to those situations which involve psychological, emotional, and/or physical pain or loss.
              
entusiastiq.blogspot.com/facial-expressions
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Sadness is characterized by oblique eyebrows, where the corrugator muscles pull the eyebrows in, but the inner part of the frontalis muscle pulls them up. There’s also a little pouching in the inner part of the forehead, and people will often look down. Plus, the corners of the lips are pulled straight down, giving the mouth a curved look.

The expression of sadness is often confused with shame, and it shares the oblique eyebrow muscle movements of compassion.​
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Facial Expression
● Eyebrows frowning, wrinkled forehead
● A little pouching in the inner part of the forehead
● Eyes half-lidded, looking down
● Teary eyes; eyes red and swollen from crying
● Downturned lips

​Other Physical Behavior
● Tears pouring, dripping, coursing
● Makeup running
●·Splotchy skin● Stiff eyelids
●·Aching chest
● Scratchy throat; soreness in the throat, lungs
● Hyperventilating/can't catch breath
● Fainting
● World seems slow down
● Heaviness in chest, limbs
●·Wincing
●·Voice breaking; tearful voice
● Heart that is breaking, aching
● Difficulty responding to questions, interacting with people
● Staring down at hands

Other Physical Behavior – Longer-term Grief
● Constant ache
● Uncontrollable crying
● Lashing out at others
● Addictive behaviors
● Premature aging: wrinkles, tired eyes, gray/white hair
● Weight loss or gain
● Sickness; Lethargy
● Throwing oneself into activities
● Losing interest in usual hobbies
● Failing grades at school, lack of success 
● Isolation; drops previous activities, 
● Inward focus; forgetful
● Desire to not be alone or to be left alone
● Compulsive actions: cleaning, etc.
● Desire to live in the past
● Suicidal thoughts
● Loss of appetite
● Inability to focus; 
Aversion to noise, crowds
● Over-sensitive to jokes, comments
● Bulky clothes, unkempt appearance

SCARCASM / VERBAL DISRESPECT
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​

Sarcasm is a thinly veiled attempt to disguise feelings of anger, fear, or hurt. It can be a means of diminishing feelings of vulnerability that may be experienced in the willingness to acknowledge the underlying feelings.

Facial Expression
● Pursing lips; A smirk or sneer
● Tilted head
● A deliberately raised eyebrow
● Eyes averted; rolling eyes or looking up
●A bemused smile (not all sarcasm is biting)
● Raising the chin so to create impression of looking down
● Narrowed eyes, eyes glittering with a hard or unkind amusement 


​Other Physical Behavior
​● A toss of the head
● Stiffening posture
● Arms crossing the chest
● Cover face with hand
● Asking questions that imply you already know the answer or are asking loaded questions
● Choosing words that cut/degrade/diminish
●Sharing an unkind look with others, drawing attention to the object of sarcasm

● A stance that conveys haughtiness/power
● A dismissive hand wave, not important
Other Physical Behavior - continued
● Tossing out a rapid, snappy response
● A languid hand gesture that suggests you want the other person to speak or take the floor when it's clear you think they'll only prove their idiocy
● Encouraging someone to please add their thoughts in a tone that suggests they have nothing worthy to add
● Adding a low blow or derogatory comment to 'slam dunk the moment'
● Muttering or belittling under the breath, just enough to be heard
● Raising hands in the 'I give up gesture' and backing away, but with a smile that suggests you still feel they are in the wrong but it isn't worth the battle
● Shaking the head while another is speaking
● A loud smacking of the lips or tsk-ing in a condescending manner
● Verbally agreement infused with impatience or rudeness "Okay, sure. Whatever you say."
● Parroting someone else's words, but in such a way as to make them sound ridiculous (and therefore the idea)
● Making someone the center of attention in a negative way
● Belittling one's ideas, words or viewpoint

● Raising the voice to draw attention to one's words

SATISFACTION
Right now, things are looking pretty good!
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Facial Expression
● Lifted Chin
● Tilted head
● A smirk, a twisting smile; Confident grin
●·A raised eyebrow and a 'See?' look
● Relaxed features
●An expression of supreme confidence (glow)


Other Physical Behavior
●·Crossing the arms over chest
●·A sleek walk that draws the eye (catlike, deliberate)
● Hands behind head and leaning back (sitting)
●·Apt dialogue that sums up the situation perfectly, a biting comment
●·Justified possessiveness
●·Telling someone, 'I told you so."
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Other Physical Behavior - continued
●·Gossipy behavior at another's downfall (talking loud enough for them to hear, faking sympathy or empathy but secretly running them down, enjoying the fall from grace)
●·Shoulders back, head held high, straight posture
●·Taking deep breaths, savouring the moment
●Faking surprise or shock to remind someone you have the upper hand (rubbing it in)
●Tutting, patting another's hand, telling them it's all right, that you will take care of everything
●·Bragging
●·Jeering, taunting
●·A hand casually anchored on the hip
●Stretching arms out wide and taking a deep breath, relaxed, and in control of the moment
●·A hyper awareness of others, to see how your actions and words affect them
●·A deep, gratifying sigh
●·A lightness in the chest, tingling
●·Warmth spreading through body
●·Happiness over work done well, euphoria
●·Whistling, humming, contentment
●·Self-congratulations
●·Uncharacteristically generous/indulgent to others as a result of feeling gratification
●·A direct manner (eye contact, strength in voice, controlling the conversation)
●·Exhibiting power through confidence and alpha-male/female body language in group settings

SHAME
            
 entusiastiq.blogspot.com/facial-expressions
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Shame is a very simple display but a powerful one. It simply involves gaze aversion, with the head moving down so that the chin tucks into the neck. It's the opposite of pride: Whereas with pride our head tilts back and our chin goes up, shame often constricts our posture as a sign of submissiveness.

This expression is frequently confused with sadness. But shame doesn't involve the muscle movements of the sad face—the eyebrows pulled in and partly up, with the lip corners moving down.

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Facial Expression
● Gaze aversion; inability to make eye contact
● Head down so chin tucks into the neck
● Flushed cheeks or neck
● A vacant or glazed stare
● Wet eyes; tears
Other Physical Behavior
● Constricted posture as a sign of submissiveness
● Hyper-sensitivity to noise, crowds, activity
● Flight reaction triggered: desire to flee, 
● Pressing hands against cheeks, hard
● Crumpling onto a chair or sofa, pulling body limbs in toward the core
● Muttering, ‘How could I let this happen?’
● Hide face with hair, hat pulled low, hand
● Glancing down blankly at fingertips
● Shaking, trembling, shivering
● Hunched shoulders
● Feeling flu-like symptoms (nausea,sweat)
● Retreating from life, signs of depression (stop contact with friends, loved ones)
● Pressing palm over lips to hold back a cry or words
● Shaking head
● Letting out an uncontrolled moan
● Self-loathing, berating oneself, anger, disgust
● Punching fists against thighs to release frustration and/or to cause pain to self
● Violence to self (scratching, cutting, jabbing fingernails into skin)
● Lashing out at others to transfer anger or blame
● Vandalism, especially a desire to destroy one’s own things, to ruin things most important to self
● Taking risks, almost hoping to have something happen to ‘balance the scale’
● A scruffy look: baggy, bland clothing; a lost of interest in own appearance
● Feverish actions toward others involved (fawning, begging, following, even stalking) in order to be granted a chance to regain self-worth

SHYNESS
Shyness (also called diffidence) is the feeling of apprehension, lack of comfort, or awkwardness especially when a person is around other people, particularly in new situations or with unfamiliar people.
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A shy person may simply opt to avoid these situations. The defining characteristic of shyness is a largely ego-driven fear of what other people will think of a person's behavior; a fear of negative reactions.
 Stronger forms of shyness can be referred to as social anxiety or social phobia. In children, shyness may result from un-familiarity and not knowing what to expect.

Current research suggests the behavioral repertoire is orchestrated by a specific circuit of neurons in the brain, and it is also strongly influenced by parenting practices and life experiences.

Facial Expression
● Eyelids lowered; no direct eye contact
● Lowered head
● Half-smile
● May try to hide face


​Other Physical Behavior
●Cling to something familiar such as another person; hiding behind them
● Hide face
● Leaving as soon as possible
● General fidgeting
● Cling to something familiar

SOMBERNESS
Somber means serious, grave, sad and without humor or entertainment reflected. A somber mood usually reflects external circumstances.

A long-term somber attitude may indicate the need for some medical intervention.
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Facial Expression
● Unsmiling; lips together but not pressed 
● Dark, serious eyes
● Eyes glazed; far away look; unfocused 
● Face lacking energy or interest; pensive
● May resemble sadness with eyebrows frowning, wrinkled forehead and a little pouching in the inner part of the forehead


Other Physical Behavior
● Quiet, unmoving
● Soft spoken, devoid of emotion, deadpan, monotone voice
● A darker or weighted outlook, negativity
● Hands folded in lap
● Flaccid yet unwelcoming (closed) body language
● A tendency to look down
● A thoughtful expression, thinking before speaking
● Dark or heavy observations
● A bleak mood that affects others, lessens energy, brings people 'down'
● Melancholy, gloomy
● Loose posture

● Unstressed, accepting
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Other Physical Behavior - continued
● A slow walk, seeming unaware or introspective
● Personality is subdued
● Humorless
● Non reactive to stimulus (laughter, excitement, activities) going on around them
● A desire to be alone
● Drab / plain clothing, lack of color
● Difficult to engage in conversation
● Sedate mannerisms, minimal or economical movement
● Non talkative; unresponsive; distracted
● Mediocre observations, accepting viewpoint of a negative outcome or realization
● Uninterested in usual hobbies or entertainments
​
EMOTION THESAURUS – PART 5 (Final) coming September 24
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emotion Thesaurus For Writers - Part 3

9/3/2021

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NOTE: Most of the thesaurus content herein comes from various sources, but i have added my share based on experience as a writer. The facial expressions, in part, are from “Entusiasti Blog” (march 19, 2014). Facial expressions and other physical behavior are largely from “The Blog Muse”, emotion thesaurus posted by Angela Ackerman before she and Becca Puglisi published their books. The full list of sources is at the end.

EMOTION THESAURUS – PART 3
​CONTEXT IS EVERYTHING
Take all things into account when describing a scene so that the facial expressions, body language, and context all match the situation and the reactions that you, as the author, intend it to mean. Never assume readers know what you mean. They don't know what the author is thinking. 

​FEAR
Fear is an emotion induced by perceived danger or threat, which causes physio-logical changes and ultimately behavioral changes, such as mounting an aggressive response or fleeing the threat.
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Facial Expression
● Wide eyes or eyes squeezed closed
● Eyes staring but not seeing; glazed
● Jaw dropped slightly
● Eyebrows arched, or flattened and frowning
● Face ashen, white, or pallid
● Lips trembling
● Beads of sweat on upper lip, forehead, trickling down side of face

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Other Physical Behavior
● Paralyzed; frozen in place
● Dizzy, weak, shaking, trying not to shake
● Clenched fists
● Loosening of the bladder; limbs going weak; fainting
● Nausea
●Dry mouth
● Crying
● Gasping for air, holding breath, rapid breathing
● Hands gripping something, white knuckles
hands twisting together
● Leg muscles tightening, ready to run
● Urge to flee; fight or flight reactions
● Stiff legs, stiff walking, knees locking
● Heart racing, near-exploding, dropping, skipping a beat; sound of heartbeat in ears
● Pulse hammering, in various body parts
● Shivery skin, flesh crawling
● Stomach dropping, shallow breaths
shaking head in denial
● Voice going shrill, stuttering, mispronouncing words
● Inability to speak
● Screaming or other vocalization of fear
● Hiding/denying fear through diversion, topic change
● Things moving in slow motion
● Body tension

● Uncontrollable whimpering, crying




​

​FRUSTRATION
Frustration is a common emotional response to opposition, related to anger, annoyance and disappointment. It arises from the perceived resistance to the fulfillment of an individual's will or goal and is likely to increase when a will or goal is denied or blocked. 

​Facial Expression
● Mouth open, with or without sound
● Flushed cheeks

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● Biting lips or pinched lips
● A clenched jaw
● Gritting teeth
● Tight eyes, a squint
● Facial tension, contortion, scrunching face
​
Other Physical Behavior
● Storming out of a room
● Clenching fists, waving arms
● Wringing hands
● Shaking head
● A heavy sigh, s strained voice
● Running hands through hair

● Angry tears           
● Cursing, swearing, verbal outbursts
● A scathing tone
● Shaking, rage-filled voice
● Shaking fists
● Hot, fevered stare
● Forearm muscles appearing cut from stone
● Thoughts of violence, playing out fantasies of violence or humiliation for another

● Rash decisions, impaired judgment
● Reaching for someone in an attempt to throttle, cause pain, hit
● An inability to enjoy positive things or happiness
● Difficulty seating, sleeping, being near o
thers
​Other Physical Behavior
● Actively wishing or hoping for harm or misfortune to happen to another
● Bitter, seething words meant to provoke
● A black mood that no one can dispel or reach through
● Tense muscles, stiff posture, rigid shoulders, a lurching walk
● A fight (fists flying, punching manically with a desire to destroy)

● Flight response (to spin away from another person, leave with a quick, decisive stride; driving off in a car 
​
● Rushing loud breaths; heaving chest
● A shoving match
● Spitting in someone’s face, at their feet or in their direction
● Explosive bursts: screaming, yelling, shouting without regard for other people or environment
● Acting on violent urges
● Irrational thoughts, taking risks or other violence to get even, a vendetta
● Single-minded focus on how to destroy another emotionally
● Starting hateful gossip, setting person up, rumors


GUILT
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Other Physical Behavior
The behaviors listed herein, which come from many sources, are more realistic for some who is guilty of something, but isn’t really sorry. Or someone who is guilty who doesn’t want to be caught.


● Angry tears           
● Cursing, swearing, verbal outbursts
● A scathing tone
● Shaking, rage-filled voice
● Shaking fists
● A scathing tone
Guilt is occurs when a person believes or realizes ‒ accurately or not ‒ that they have compromised their own standards of conduct or have violated universal moral standards and bear significant responsibility for that violation. Guilt is closely related to the concept of remorse, regret, as well as shame.
​
For the writer, this can a tricky emotion. The expression depends on whether or not the person believes what he did was wrong or he just don’t care. If the person doesn’t, he will look defensive or angry /resentful, or threatening, but not guilty. Or, as the child depicts, “I know it was wrong, but what’s the big deal?”


Facial Expression
● Clenched jaw, grinding teeth
● A pinched face, frigid features, mouth twisted into a snarl or sneer
● Biting lip or finger nail
● Set, slightly pinched, lips
● Lowered lids
● Hot, fevered stare
● Wishing harm or misfortune to happen to another
● Bitter, seething words to provoke
● A black mood no one can dispel
● Tense muscles, stiff posture, rigid shoulders, a lurching walk
● Fists flying, punching manically with a desire to destroy)

● Fight response; to spin away. leave
● Shaking, rage-filled voice

● Shaking fists
● Thoughts/ fantasies/ acts  of violence, 
● Rushing loud breaths; heaving chest
● A shoving match
● Spitting in someone’s face, at their feet or in their direction
● Explosive bursts: screaming, yelling
● Rash decisions, impaired judgment
● Irrational thoughts, taking risks
● Single-minded focus on destroying
● Starting hateful gossip, setting person up, rumors
● An inability to enjoy positive things or happiness
● Difficulty seating, sleeping, being near others
​HAPPINESS / JOY
Happiness refers to a state of being happy or feeling pleasure and is usually short term.The major indicator is the genuine smile called a Duchenne smile which signals happiness.

It results from two muscle movements. Common to all smiles, the zygomatic muscle pulls the lips up at the corners. What makes a genuine smile is the muscles around the eyes which tighten, making wrinkles at the sides of the eyes and creates pouching of the lower eyelid. This is the smile of genuine happiness.
​
​. entusiastiq.blogspot.com/facial-expressions
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Facial Expression
● A genuine, relaxed smile
● Wrinkles around eyes, pouching of the lower lid
● Crinkling of the face with a genine smile
● Laughing
● Eye contact
● Eyes sparkle and are alert


Other Physical Behavior
Remember, hate involves an appraisal that a person or group is evil. While hate relates to other negative emotions, it also has unique features, such as the motivation to eliminate the object of your hate. It’s a long term emotion rather than a short-term emotion. Revenge is often a part of hate.


● A light step, floating walk, skipping
● Humming/whistling/singing
● Relaxed appearance, posture straighter

● A need to share the happiness with others
Other Physical Behavior
● Seemingly at ease with the world
● Taps foot to music, or lightly taps on something without music
● Laughs and smiles frequently
● Interacts with others
● Bright, half-full attitude
● Shares with others, talkative
● Courteous with strangers
● Shows patience
● Shows interest /notices small things around them (smelling the roses, so to speak)
● Affectionate
● More likely to be helpful
● Shows enjoyment of stimulus (sways to music, closes eyes to savor food, etc)
nods as others speak or leans in to show interest
● Bubbling laughter, happy bursts of screaming, shouting, laughter, squeals, giggles
● rapid speaking
● A feeling of breathlessness
● Happy tears
● Clasping hands before chest
● Shaking with excitement
● Big movements (leaping, fist pumping, running)
● Pounding heart
● Tingling hands

HATRED
Hatred as an emotion is often misused and misunderstood. It is one that has many gradations. When most people say they hate something, they are  exaggerating or merely mean dislike or annoying.

Kids use it to mean things that are unfamiliar, foreign,  formidable, or  for-bidden. As teenagers it is primarily a verbal sign growing up (of “hormone fueled adolescence”) and usually means dislike or annoying.

Facial Expression
In social situations, facial expressions of hatred are most likely covered up and come across as less intense, such as disgust, anger, distrust. 

When hate is expressed sincerely, different facial  expressions may predominate.
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● Narrowed eyes
● Direct piercing stare, hard and cold
● Deep Frown
● A pinched face, frigid features
● Mouth twisted into a snarl or sneer
● Lips tighten and compress or lift up on one side to show teeth
● Partially raised lids
● Jaw clenches; teeth clench
● Face may redden
● Nostrils flare
● Eyes narrow, making them appear cold, hard;
glaring
● Clenched jaw, grinding teeth

Other Physical Behavior
● Angry tears
● Cursing, swearing
● Overt expressions of anger, contempt, rudeness
● Shaking fists
● Hot, fevered stare

Other Physical Behavior
​
● A scathing tone
● Shaking, rage-filled voice
● Hard forearm muscles
● Thoughts of violence, playing out fantasies of violence or humiliation for another
● Actively wishing or hoping for harm or misfortune to happen to another
● Bitter, seething words meant to provoke
● A black mood
● Irrational thoughts or actions for revenge
● Tense muscles, stiff posture, rigid shoulders, a lurching walk
● Gripping at own hair and pulling as if to release some internal pressure
● A fight response such as fists flying, punching manically with a desire to destroy)
● Flight reflex such as spinning away from the  person, leave with a quick, decisive stride; driving off in a car, peeling rubber)
● Rushing loud breaths; heaving chest
● A shoving match


HAUGHTINESS/ SMUGNESS/ SUPERIORITY
Smugness shares with arrogance a high degree of self-satisfaction and a sense of some kind of superiority over others, but it typically manifests itself quietly and indirectly, without brashness.

Facial Expression
● Lifting one’s chin
●·Head back and literally looking down the nose at someone
● Deliberately raised brows and half-lidded eyes
● Quirked lips or self-satisfied smile; a sneer
● Tilted head
● Wrinkle of nose like distaste
● Rolling eyes

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Other Physical Behavior
● Crossing arms
● If sitting, leaning back, particularly with arms raise behind head
● Dismissive nod or glance (gazes settles briefly then flicks away as if the other is unworthy
● Annoyed huffing sigh
● Waving a hand in dismissal
● Leaning in aggressively as if to challenge
● Using words to agree with opposite tone.
● A challenging look radiating superiority
● Perfect posture, shoulders back, exposed neck
● A determined walk, strut or swagger
● A loud voice, bragging, full of bluster
● Conversation that belittles opposing others' ideas /beliefs; one’s own ideals 
● Talking over people, controlling discussion
● Domineering others (invading another’s personal space)

Other Physical Behavior
● Tossing one’s hair back, a shake of the head
● Adopting a sudden ‘pondering’ pose (hand clasping chin, an inward gaze as if struck by deep thoughts)
● Settling back in a chair with exaggerated casualness
● Actions that direct all attention to themselves and away from anyone else
● Extreme pride in appearance and objects one owns
● Careful consideration in friendships, purchases, places where one is seen
● A deliberate crossing of the legs or clasping of the hands
● Fidgeting with jewelry in order to draw attention to it
● Overplaying closeness or friendship
● Reminding someone of a past mistake to ‘rub it in’

●·Uses sarcasm to cut others down

HOPEFULNESS
Hope is like a snap-shot of a person’s current goal-directed thinking, highlighting the motivated pursuit of goals and the expectation that those goals can be achieved.

Facial Expression
● Head tilted upward
● Eyes closed
● Eyes open, shiny, and looking upward
● A serious sincere smile or half-smile

Other Physical Behavior
●Hands clasped in prayer, pressed to lips, eyes closed or looking upward
● Fingers crossed, sometimes behind back
● Actual Prayer/plea to God "Please let this work!"
● Covering the mouth with a hand
● Holding of breath
● Steepled fingers covering mouth, held under or against nose
● Flutter in the belly
● Lighthearted feeling
● A gasp or shriek (more likely a reaction to first hearing  or actually happening)
●Clutching at the chest or belly
●Floaty feeling
● Tingling limbs
​
● Rapid swallowing & nodding
● Movement; keeping busy
● Nervous energy
● Quiet prayer
● Gaze darting to a person or object that symbolizes hope 

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Other Physical Behavior
​● Brightened countenance
● Deep breaths
● Straighter posture/higher carriage
● A jolt through the body
● Waving/flapping hands
● Bouncing on the balls of feet
● Quivering breaths
● Trembling voice
● Eyes shining with tears
● An effort to not get too excited (clasped hands, holding oneself still, etc)
● A sense of calm; Belief it will work out

● Refusing to consider, speak of, or listen to the negative possibility
● Making enthusiastic preparations for 'best case scenario'
● Chattiness, babbling
● Verbalizing what can be done to encourage the best possibility to happen
● Rapt, positive attention on a task or person involved

HUMILIATION
Humiliation is the emotion you feel when your status is lowered in front of others. You may feel annoyed with yourself when you make a mistake or fail to know an answer, but unless others are around to witness it, that’s all you’ll feel. You need other around to fell truly humiliated.
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Facial Expression
● Red in neck, cheeks
● Bowed head
● Scrunch face
● Close eyes
● Teary eyes
● Bite lip
● Turn down mouth
● shake head

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​Other Physical Behavior
● Cover face with hands or something else
● Shrink into one’s self; become small
● Hold self around middle
● Hand(s) to head or chest

● Apologize and divert conversation
● Blame someone else,
● Beat a hasty retreat without apology
● Rough, jerky movements
Other Physical Behavior
● Teary eyes or real tears: swipe at them with back of hand
● Tongue tied and can’t talk; stutter
● Act like nothing has happened; buck up and put on a smiling face
● Try to make a joke of it
● Apologize and retreat

● Stiff posture

HURT
Hurt can be both physical and emotional
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Other Physical Behavior – Physical Hurt
● Heavy limbs/ numbness
● Sudden clenching of stomach
● Won’t make eye contact
● Flinching with physical hurt
● Hunching over, pressing hand to the injury
● Watery, hot eyes that rapidly give over to uncontrollable crying


Other Physical Behavior – Emotional Hurt
● Weeping
● Speechlessness
● Moaning, groaning, crying out
● Heavy limbs/ numbness
Facial Expression
● Mouth agape
● Teeth Gritted
● Stiff jutting jaw
● Blinking rapidly
● Teary bright eyes; glazed eyes
● Eyes scrunched closed, puckered forehead and 
frown
● Forehead scrunched and squinting eyes
● Tics in face
● Lips compressed and mouth turned down


Other Physical Behavior – Physical Hurt
It would be impossible to list all the feeling of physical pain someone who is ill or injured can feel. This is a best attempt at generalization and physical actions.
● Weeping
●▪Physical pain specific to illness or injury
● Speechlessness
● Moaning, groaning, crying out

​● Feeling of nausea
● Sudden clenching of stomach
● Won’t make eye contact
● A jerking walk or run (fleeing others or a circumstance)
● Heaviness of heart

● Self-loathing​
​● Lashing oput at anything close to hand, damaging property, etc, finding release in breaking things and causing damage
● Replaying the hurtful event over and over
● Asking questions: "How could she? Why me?"
● Crumpling into a ball, sagging onto a chair, sliding to the floor with back to the wall
● Retreating to a safe place and not coming out
● Showing signs of depression (retreating inward)

● Hurt manifesting as violence 
​
● Feeling of nausea

IMPATIENCE
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Other Physical Behavior
​● Fussing with appearance
● Door or window watching
● Straying attention
● Feeling exhausted or strained to the limits
● Fidgeting, moving about in a seat
● Whining, grumbling or pouting (small children)
● Changing places to wait; sitting to standing,
●General fidgeting
● Muttering, shaking the head, talking to oneself

● An inability to focus on other things or people
● Attempting to distract oneself


INDIGNANT
Facial Expression
● A tightness to the face
● Lips pressed together in a fine line
● Frowning
● Puffing out cheeks
● Tilting head; propping it up with hand
● Exasperated sighing
● A clenched jaw, gritting teeth
​

Other Physical Behavior
● A tapping foot; Clicking fingernails against a table
● Glancing down at wristwatch, or at a wall clock
● Pacing
● A sharp tone, using as few words as possible to answer
● Attention snaps toward small sounds or movement
● Complaining to others or mumbling a complaint to self under the breath: "Where is he?" or "What is taking so long?"
● Holding a drink or plate of food to be polite but not drinking/eating it
● An ingenuine smile

Indignation is a complex emotion triggered by  feelings of anger and disgust. The feeling of indignation can occur when one is mistreated by another or negative feelings are sparked by situations or actions that are considered to be unjust. 

Facial Expression
● Lips pressed thin
● Rolling eyes, eyes avoiding contact, squinted
● Frown and compressed lips
●Mouth agape
● Eyes bulging

● Rapid blinking
● Color rising in cheeks
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Other Physical Behavior
● Hands on hips
● Exhaling impatiently, snorting
● Sputtering, stuttering over words, broken sentences
● Speechlessness
● Evasive maneuvers while trying to formulate a response (roving eyes, fidgeting hands)
● Raised voice, yelling, cursing
●· Vehement denial, even in the face of logic
●· Looking to others for back-up or confirmation
●· White knuckles, tense jaw, muscles, etc.
ther Physical Behavior
● Jerking, tossing, shaking of the head
● Throwing hands in air
● Crossing arms over chest
● Stalking away
● Sharp, spastic movements; general fidgeting
● Slapping hands over top of the head
● Shaking splayed fingers close to ears as if to contain thoughts/outrage
●To ward someone off with a hand, stopping them from speaking further
● To hold a shaking index finger up at someone in warning to say no more
● Using anger as an excuse to leave


​INTERESTED
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                entusiastiq.blogspot.com/facial-expressions

Interest
 is a feeling or emotion that causes attention to focus on an object, event, or process. In contemporary psychology of  interest, the term is used as a general concept that may encompass other more specific psychological terms, such as pleasure, curiosity and, to a much lesser degree, surprise.
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Facial Expression
● The frontalis muscles raise our eyebrows straight up
● Corners of lips turn up in a slight smile, suggesting pleasure.
● Eyes will contract
● Gaze focuses on the object of interest
● Wide eyes, sharp and focused

Other Physical Behavior
● Hands to face
● Intense concentration
● Straight posture, alert
● Minimal fidgeting and moving around


This emotion is opposite disinterest.

​



​IMPATIENCE
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Facial Expression
● Squinting or narrowing eyes
● Puffing out cheeks
● Jutting chin; clenched jaw, gritting teeth
● Tightness to face


​Other Physical Behavior
● General fidgeting
● Pacing
● Repetitive nervous motions such as tapping foot, clicking fingernails of table, crossing and uncrossing legs

Impatience is an unwillingness to wait for something or someone.

But cognitive science says impatience is a survival emotions arising from our hunter-gatherer days and told us when to move on from a place that was no longer feeding us. 
​

Facial Expression
● Compressed lips; pout
● Frown
● A focused stare, seemingly at nothing

● Propping up head or chin with hand
● Glancing at wristwatch or clock
● A sharp tone, using as few words as possible

● Tilting head
● Letting out a heavy sigh
● Constant checking for phone messages
● Increased tension in face, shoulders, neck
● Stiff posture·
● Veiled anger or light sarcasm

INDIGNATION
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Indignation is a complex and discrete emotion that is triggered by The feeling when one is mistreated by another or negative feelings are sparked when a situation is out of the normal realm of society. 

Facial Expression
● Lips pressed thin with frown and narrowed eyes
● Rolling eyes, Break in eye contact
● Eyes bulging or rapid blinking
● Mouth dropping open
● Mouth open in a “What the heck?” shape, teeth usually showing
● Color rising in cheeks or neck

Other Physical Behavior
● Exhaling impatiently, snorting
● Sputtering, stuttering over words, broken sentences
● Speechlessness
● Evasive maneuvers while trying to formulate a response
● Raised voice, yelling, cursing, vehement denial
● Looking to others for back-up or confirmation
● Jerking, tossing, shaking of the head
● Hands on hips, Hands thrown in air
● Crossing arms over chest
● Walking away
● Sharp, spastic movements
● Slapping hands over top of the head
● Shaking splayed fingers close to ears as if to contain thoughts/outrage
● Putting palm out to stop someone from speaking further
● Shaking index finger up at someone in warning
● To accuse another, “How dare you!”
● Using anger as an excuse to leave/ to stalk off/ speed away in a car
● White knuckles, tense jaw, muscles
● Stiff posture, shoulders set
● Flinching, recoiling, taking a step back
● Snapping back with a cheap shot in retaliation


JEALOUSY

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Extroverted Response – Other Physical Behavior Continued
● Sitting against a wall, holding knees to chest and staring off angrily
● Minor destruction as a release: Crumpling paper, pop cans, breaking pencils
● Muttering unkind things under breath
● Rash decisions (impulsively quit a team, group or storm out of party/event)

● Refusing to speak to others
● Crossing arms in front of chest


Jealousy is a complex emotion that en-compasses feelings ranging from suspicion to rage to fear to humiliation. It strikes people of all ages, genders, and sexual orientations, and is most typically aroused when a person perceives a threat – real or imagined -- to a valued relationship from a third party.

Facial Expression
● Pouting
● Sullen looks, glowering
● Hot eyes, tears form
● Pursed or tightly pressed lips
● Clenching teeth


Introverted Response – Other Physical Behavior
​
● Retreat from activity/cause the jealousy
● Quick, sharp movements (swiping tears from cheeks, shoving hair back behind ear, getting up fast and knocking something over in haste)
● Minor self-mutilation (scratches self, press fingernails into skin) using pain to feel better


Extroverted Response – Other Physical Behavior
​
●Jeering, calling names, running someone down
● Starting rumors, acting catty
● Shoving person who causes feelings of jealousy
● Acting out through petty crimes (scratching the person’s locker or car; stealing or hiding something small they care about, hiding
●  Bullying: pushing, hitting, pinching someone weaker
● Sneering, rudeness
● Spitting in the direction of the person/object of jealousy
● Kicking at something nearby (garbage can, dandelion head, pebble, chair)
● Showing off
● A desire for revenge
● Pulling a stunt or pranks to regain attention
● Goading a weaker person into an argument 
Emotion Thesaurus - Part 4 coming next week - September,10, 2021
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    Author R. Ann Siracusa

    Novelist, retired architect and urban planner, world traveler, quilter, owl collector, devoted wife-mother-grandmother, great-grandmother, and, according to some, wild-assed liberal.

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