Here is the origin behind the phrase “to feel under the weather” 

The novel coronavirus took the world by storm in 2020. After a year, it seemed like life would get back to normal, slowly but surely. However, the emergence of the Omicron variant around the world heightened health and safety concerns yet again. Especially in India, the month of January 2022 witnessed a significantly high number of people catching the virus or simply falling ill in general. In such times, the phrase “to feel under the weather” has become quite ubiquitous in our daily lives. But did you know that it has a fascinating backstory? Read on to learn more about this phrase and its origin. 

What does this phrase mean? 
The phrase “to feel under the weather” is a way of communicating that one is feeling unwell or worse than usual. Sometimes, it is also used to say that the person is feeling sad or morose. In general, it denotes a state that is not the most ideal or positive to be in. A few examples are: 1. The sudden drop in temperature at the beginning of winter caused me to feel a little under the weather or, 2. The passing of her puppy got her feeling under the weather. 

Where does this phrase originate from? 
The phrase “to feel under the weather” has nautical connotations. In the olden times, when sailors were out at sea, the long voyages usually caused seasickness amongst those on the ship. In such a situation, the sailor would be sent below deck or in some other interior, covered part of the ship in order to escape the harsh weather and recover. Thus, initially, it specifically referred to someone falling seasick. However, as time passed, its usage developed a wider scope. Today, it can be used to denote any kind of illness, malaise or sad feelings. Its earliest usage in print media was recorded to be in an American newspaper in 1835 named Jeffersonville Daily Evening News. The phrase used here was in the sentence: I own Jessica is somewhat under the weather to-day, figuratively and literally,’ said the gentleman, amusedly, giving a glance at the lady over in the corner.