Feeling ‘under the weather?' Sailors meant that phrase literally

Name: 'Under the weather' meaning: The phrase's nautical origin
Uploaded: 2026-11-06T21:29:05.456Z
Duration: 27 s
Channel: The Weather Channel
Description: ver wondered about the meaning and origin of “under the weather”? The sick-day phrase came from sailors sheltering below deck in storms.

ByCaroline Aylward,Jenn JordanandLisa Pringle•

5 days ago

Updated: November 7, 2026, 7:21 am ESTPublished: November 6, 2026, 4:30 pm EST

Ever wonder why we say we're “under the weather” when sick? The phrase began with sailors heading below deck (literally underneath the weather) to escape storms at sea and to recover from illness.