History of the phrase “break wind”

Question

The choice of the verb "break" seems a strange choice for the phrase. Does anybody know where this phrase originated?

Hugo · Answer 1 · 2011-10-21 09:27:29Z

up vote 2 down vote

I don't know for sure, but it's a very old phrase. From etymonline.com:

Break wind first attested 1550s.

answered Oct 21 '11 at 9:27

Hugo
30.7k454107

JeffSahol · Answer 2 · 2011-04-28 19:09:49Z

up vote 1 down vote

From M-W:

to separate into parts with suddenness or violence

That sounds very descriptive of what is going on, at least for the noisy variety

answered Apr 28 '11 at 19:09

JeffSahol
13.2k1650

2 Answers