Way With Words: Heart on Sleeve

Everyone knows a person who is overly emotional, and if you don’t, then you’re probably the one who ‘wears your heart on your sleeve.’

In modern times, the phrase describes someone without a complete handle on expression, whose every emotion is an open book for anyone to read.

They are, however, a great person to invite to play poker.

The origin of the phrase comes in two parts, one being a quote from Lago in Shakespeare’s “Othello,” and the other being a practice of knights in tournaments.

Lago, in the popular Shakespearian play “Othello,” says

“For when my outward action doth demonstrate
The native act and figure of my heart
In compliment extern, 'tis not long after
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
For daws to peck at: I am not what I am,” reads phrases.uk.org’s excerpt of “Othello.”

In this instance, Lago is using the phrase correctly, albeit for a deceptive purpose.

A popular idea as to where Shakespeare might have gleaned this phrase was from the knights of old. The knights were said to wear a ribbon or handkerchief of the lady’s colors that they were fighting for.

Wearing the colors on his arm signified who he was fighting for. Shakespeare may have borrowed this meaning and been the first to record it in 1604.

Go invite your favorite hearts on sleeves friends to a poker game and really clean up.