Gut Feeling
- PostEagle
- January 25, 2018
- Word Etymology
- 0 Comments
GUT FEELING – A common expression used to express innermost emotional or visceral response to a situation.
This modern day expression of visceral emotion has its origin in ancient Roman ceremonies. The Roman soothsayers, known as Augurs, would interpret omens by consulting the entrails of a sheep which had been sacrificed. If the liver of the animal looked clean and healthy, the omens were pronounced favorable. It was common at public and private ceremonies for the priest to sacrifice a pig, sheep or bull and inspect the entrails for a sign. The HARUSPEX was the soothsayer who foretold the future from the inspection of the entrails. The AUSPEX was the one who observed the habits of birds for the purposes of divination. The Romans were guided by such auspices as much as we today are guided by a gut feeling.