The saying "a hungry man is an angry man" indicates that people can get easily irritated or upset when hungry. Hunger can affect a person's mood and make them more prone to feeling annoyed or even angry. When someone's basic needs, like food, aren't met, they're more likely to have a short temper or become agitated.
In short:
The phrase "a hungry man is an angry man" tells us hunger can directly affect a person's mood. If someone is hungry, they're more likely to be grumpy, irritable, or even angry. It shows that basic needs like food are closely tied to our emotional state.
Let's look at what this phrase means:
The proverb "a hungry man is an angry man" boasts a rich history, with its origins dating back to the 17th century, at the very least. The earliest documented instance of this saying is found in a 1641 compilation of Scottish Proverbs, where it appears as "Hungry men are angry." By 1659, the expression had already entered the realm of English proverbs, recorded as "A hungry man, an angry man."
Over the years, the phrase has gained increasing prominence in literature and popular conversation. For example, in a 1738 publication called "Polite Conversation II," one character declares, "I'm hungry," to which another replies, "And I'm angry, so let us both go fight." This exchange indicates that the proverb had firmly established itself in the lexicon of the English-speaking world by the 18th century.
"Chump chop from the grill. Bolting to get it over. Sad booser’s eyes. Bitten off more than he can chew. Am I like that? See ourselves as others see us. Hungry man is an angry man. Working tooth and jaw."
- Ulysses by James Joyce, 1922
To make the saying more relatable, let's look at different situations where it fits:
This saying also pops up in various cultural settings and is often used to talk about mood swings due to hunger.
Let's see some examples:
While this phrase is quite specific, there are other ways to talk about how hunger affects your mood.
Here are some:
"A hungry man is an angry man" means that people who are hungry or in need are more likely to be irritable or upset. This can be both literally about hunger or more broadly about being deprived of other needs or wants.
You can use it to talk about someone who's grumpy because they haven't eaten, or to discuss how basic needs being unmet can lead to frustration or anger. For example: “She knew better than to argue with him before dinner; a hungry man is an angry man.” Or “The workers are demanding better wages. You know what they say, a hungry man is an angry man.”
No, the phrase isn't just about men. It's a general idea that applies to everyone, regardless of gender.
No, it can also refer to a lack of other basic needs, like love, attention, or security. When these needs are not met, people may become agitated or irritable.
While the phrase is commonly used in English-speaking cultures, the idea that unmet needs lead to frustration is universal and exists in various forms across cultures.
Yes, but use it with care. In a professional setting, it could be used to discuss the importance of meeting employees' basic needs for job satisfaction and productivity.
Yes, the phrase can be found in literature, usually to highlight the basic human nature of needs affecting emotions and actions. In pop culture, it might be used humorously to explain someone's bad mood.
The phrase has been around for quite some time but it's hard to pinpoint its exact origin. Its meaning and implications have stayed pretty consistent over the years.
Yes, the idea ties back to psychological theories like Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which talks about how basic needs must be met for a person to focus on higher-level activities and thoughts.
Yes, it can be used sarcastically to mock someone who is grumpy for what seems like trivial reasons. For example, “He's upset he lost his pen. A hungry man is an angry man, I guess!”
This phrase shines a light on the direct link between our basic needs and our emotional state. Whether it's hunger, lack of sleep, or some other form of deprivation, these unmet needs can lead us to act out or lose patience quickly.
Here's a quick recap:
