Idiom
My Ears Are Burning? Origin and Meaning
Meaning
If you say “my ears are burning”, it means that you know or think that other people are talking about you.
Origin
This idiom originates from the ancient Romans who believed that different feelings in the body were signs of current or future events. They thought that a ringing or burning feeling in the ears was a sign that the person was being talked about. They also believed that a burning left ear was a symbol of evil (people were saying bad things about them) and a burning right ear was a symbol of praise (people were saying nice things about them).
This idiom originates from the ancient Romans who believed that different feelings in the body were signs of current or future events. They thought that a ringing or burning feeling in the ears was a sign that the person was being talked about. They also believed that a burning left ear was a symbol of evil (people were saying bad things about them) and a burning right ear was a symbol of praise (people were saying nice things about them).Examples
“I can’t believe I fell over on the stage last night! My ears are burning now – I’m sure everyone is talking about me.”
“We should stop talking about Bill now – his ears must be burning.”
Tom: “Hi Sue! Were your ears burning last night?”
Sue: “Why? Were you talking about me?”
Tom: “Yes, I had dinner with Jason and we were talking about you all night. Only good things of course!”
“We should stop talking about Bill now – his ears must be burning.”
Tom: “Hi Sue! Were your ears burning last night?”
Sue: “Why? Were you talking about me?”
Tom: “Yes, I had dinner with Jason and we were talking about you all night. Only good things of course!”
