"Feeling like death warmed up."

Alright. The English language and I need to have a little chat and since I love you so much, you may sit in.

Ready? *tucks hair behind ear and pushes up glasses* I don't wear glasses, but it's all about the effect!
Ahem.


English, you are an interesting language. But I have a slight issue.


Yes?


Where the heck did the phrase, 'feeling like death warmed up', come from?!


Well...


No, seriously. Where? I mean, it sounds so stupid! For one, it should mean this:

*meant to be a drawing of a Grim Reaper*

...*can't draw that*

But that would be silly because when people feel like 'death warmed up' they feel ill and tired not evil and powerful... Right? So... It could mean this:

But who's gonna believe that? Death is scary and frightening, like this:

Not sick and weak, like this:

So... Why call it 'death warmed up'?


Well, it could portray the concept of zombies being brought back to live: Death, a corpse, warmed up - having the warmth of life returned.


Fine, fine. But zombies are frightening and powerful creatures! They kill to no end and have no personal thought. See:

Source: http://www.michellehenry.fr/zombies.htm

They're not exhausted and tired!


That is true. But the idea could be that the person may look pale and drawn - as if dead - but is clearly still alive, much like a 'corpse' being revived by the fire. (Source.)


Well...

Makes sense, I guess. But still. It's such a weird phrase! The word 'death' is often associated with the Grim Reaper, fear and/or tragedy (just look at Shakespeare) not feeling unwell. Plus, if Death is from Hell, and Hell is like a furnace (pretty sure I read that in the Bible somewhere...), why would he/it need warming up when he/it's already burning...?

*so creative*

Argh. It makes zero sense to me. Oh well.


Thank you for your time.


...Eh?

Gotta love the weirdness of English, eh~?

Fun fact: 'Death warmed over' is the American form of the phrase. Hmm. (Source.)


-A.
xxx


PS~ Sketch-doodles are, again, mine. Any other sources are linked to their respective sites.


Update! Apparently, the meaning/origin is actually as follows: As saying 'warmed up to' can mean 'getting close to' or 'friendly', the phrase 'Death warmed up' meant that Death was getting closer. Freaky, huh?