Why Do We Say Spitting Image? The Odd Origins of a Peculiar Phrase

When someone bears a striking resemblance to another, often the term “spitting image” is invoked to describe the uncanny similarity. The phrase, colloquial and vivid, raises eyebrows as much as it does questions about its origins. It’s a part of the English language that has persisted through time, capturing the essence of likeness with an expression that seems almost comically graphic.

The evolution of the saying is as intriguing as the phrase itself. Linguistic detectives speculate that “spitting image” has undergone several transformations from its initial form. What may have started as a combination of “spit and image,” suggesting that one person could be so like another that they were as if spit from their very essence, has morphed linguistically over time. The phrase’s journey through various iterations has resulted in the commonly used and somewhat bemusing idiom we know today.

Etymology of the Expression

The phrase “spitting image” has intrigued many with its peculiar wording and striking meaning of being an exact likeness. To unravel the story behind this idiom, one must explore its literary birth and the sequence of changes over time.

Origins in Literature

The earliest known use of a precursor to “spitting image” can be traced to the works of George Farquhar in his 1706 play, Love and a Bottle, where the phrase “the very spit” was used to denote a close resemblance. This literary instance laid the foundational association of “spit” with likeness. The expression, in the vein of “spit and image,” also appeared in a 19th century document known as the Newgate Calendar, reinforcing its prevalence in print.

Evolution of the Phrase

As the term wandered through the corridors of language, it saw several variations. “The very spit” eventually morphed into “spit and image,” further crystallizing the relationship between “spit” and an exact likeness. Gradually, through what some suggest to be phonetic corruption, “spit and image” became “spitten image,” as found in some 19th century texts. While some have posited that “spit” could be a distortion of “spirit,” to mean “spirit and image,” this interpretation remains speculative with little historical backing.

The term finally settled into its modern form, “spitting image,” with the “g” possibly being added for present-participle consonance. Contrary to some beliefs, “splitting image” is a common misheard version that has no etymological basis. The phrase as it stands today, “spitting image,” emphasizes the notion of being an “exact likeness,” resonating through its phonetic punch and historical journey.

Cultural Significance

The expression “spitting image” wields significant cultural influence, shaping perceptions of likeness and identity in both historical and contemporary contexts. It underscores the powerful connection between language and visual art as mediums to express resemblance.

Artistic Depictions

In art, the quest for capturing a “spitting image” has often driven artists to create works that aspire for the utmost likeness. This pursuit traces back to the 19th century and even earlier, where the fidelity of a painted or sculpted portrait was paramount. The term itself may evoke an allusion to the exactness expected in a mirror’s reflection, where every detail is meticulously mirrored—a testament to an artist’s skill in rendering a near-perfect mirror image. Exhibits like the one at Cambridge University Library delve into the rich history of satirical representations, demonstrating how shows such as “Spitting Image” utilized grotesque puppet caricatures to not only mirror but also comment on society’s most prominent figures.

Modern Usage and Perception

“Spitting image” today extends beyond the realm of visual art, permeating daily language as a metaphor for precise resemblance, often in a familial context. It connotes more than just appearance; it also encompasses the essence or spirit of the person replicated. Modern interpretations can be found in various forms of media, where characters may be noted for being the “spitting image” of their ancestors, underscoring themes of legacy and identity. The term’s secure place in the lexicon highlights society’s enduring fascination with likenesses and the way we use art and language to explore connections between individuals across generations.

Linguistic Journey

The phrase “spitting image” has a peculiar and intricate history. Its evolution over time reveals the curious ways that language adapts and morphs across cultures and eras.

Early References

Surprisingly, the origins of “spitting image” are shrouded with uncertainties, but one thing is clear: it has always meant a striking resemblance. Linguists trace the term’s early forms, like “spit and image” or “spitten image,” back to the 19th century. An earlier version of this expression was “spitten image,” thought to be a corruption of “spit and” because “spit” was once used to describe someone who looks very much like another.

One theory suggests that “spitting image” could have stemmed from the idea of someone being so similar to another that they were like the “spit” or exact likeness of that person. Another interesting angle is the potential French connection; some hypothesize that “spitting image” might have evolved from the French expression ‘spirit et image,’ which translates to “spirit and image.”

Standardization in Dictionaries

The phrase “spitting image” was first recorded in the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) in the 20th century, which solidified its position in the English lexicon. By being entered into this prestigious record, the expression gained official recognition and its usage was formalized.

Dictionaries like the OED play a pivotal role in the standardization of words and phrases. As they include terms that have come into common usage, they often provide the accepted spelling and a brief definition that then becomes the benchmark for proper language use. For “spitting image,” these dictionaries mark its transition from colloquial speech to standardized English while also reflecting on its somewhat mysterious origin.

Scientific Angle

Exploring the idiom ‘spitting image’ from a scientific perspective illuminates interesting connections between genetics, physical resemblance, fluid dynamics, and the evolution of language.

Genetics and Resemblance

Genetics plays a vital role in determining physical likeness between individuals. It’s well understood that children inherit a combination of genetic material from both parents, leading to varying degrees of resemblance, often making a child the exact likeness of a parent. These hereditary patterns are complex and influenced by dominant and recessive traits, which can sometimes result in a child being referred to colloquially as the spitting image of a parent.

Fluid Dynamics and Linguistics

The phrase ‘spitting image’ interestingly correlates to concepts in fluid dynamics and linguistics. Spit, or saliva, is a bodily fluid demonstrating fluid dynamic properties, but in the context of this expression, it likely points to the sharing of genetic material, an idea that intimately connects to a person’s spit. Linguistically, the phrase may have evolved from ‘spit and image’ or ‘spitten image,’ reflecting how language fluidly adapts over time. The original expressions imply that someone is made from the same substance (spit) and bears the same form (image) as another—a metaphor for genetic inheritance and visual similarity.

Common Misconceptions

The phrase ‘spitting image’ has accumulated a host of misconceptions concerning its origin and variations. While it is commonly used to imply an ‘exact likeness,’ the path to its current form has been subject to both changes and myths.

Phrase Variations and Confusions

The journey of the phrase to its contemporary usage is marked by a series of variations. Some people mistakenly refer to ‘spitting image’ as ‘splitting image,’ which is likely a corruption of the original phrase. A notable early form is ‘spit and image,’ which appeared in print around the early 19th century. Linguist Laurence Horn discussed the phrase in an article for American Speech, suggesting that “spitten image” is an alteration of “spit and image.”

Myths and Etymythologies

When it comes to the origin of certain phrases, etymythology—or the creation and spread of false but popular etymologies—often comes into play. While some might propose fanciful tales about the phrase’s beginnings, Horn’s research indicates that “spit and image” likely developed from the phrase “the very spit,” which was an earlier expression for exact likeness. Despite entertaining stories about the phrase’s creation, scholarly research often debunks these myths, guiding us toward more mundane, albeit accurate, histories.

Global Perspectives

The phrase ‘Spitting Image’ has woven its way through various cultures and languages, evolving in its journey. Each location has added a layer of meaning or a twist in pronunciation, broadening the expression’s rich heritage.

Cross-Cultural Comparisons

In exploring the cross-cultural landscapes, one can observe that what started possibly as “spit and image” or “spitten image” has been adopted widely with subtle variations. It’s compelling to note how such terms travel the globe. Historically, the original English expression could have been tied closely to the dialect of Cumberland where “spittin'” might have been a common local abbreviation. As people moved and languages mingled, these expressions found new homes. For instance, some believe that “spirit and image” might have been a mishearing of the original term as it was shared orally.

Dialects and Colloquialisms

The journey of the phrase ‘Spitting Image’ through different dialects and colloquialisms highlights the evolution of language. Various dialects picked up the expression, each adding its distinct flavor. The difference in interpretation between regions demonstrates the fluid nature of language. In some places, “spitting” has maintained its origin connotation of ‘exact likeness’, while in others, the phrase might be understood in a myriad of ways, showing how language changes in circulation. The metaphorical spit in the saying acts as a linguistic bridge that connects English speakers around the world despite regional differences.