Tempest in a teapot

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For other uses, see Storm in a Teacup.

Tempest in a teapot (in American English), or storm in a teacup (in British English), is an idiom used commonly in English meaning a small event that has been exaggerated out of proportion.[1] There are also lesser known variants, such as storm in a cream bowl and storm in a wash-hand basin.

The phrase is at least a century and a half old, as evidenced in the January 1838 edition of the defunct The United States Democratic Review, in an article regarding the Supreme Court. To quote: "This collegiate tempest in a teapot might serve for the lads of the University to moot; but, surely, was unworthy the solemn adjudication attempted for it."[2]

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[edit] References

  1. ^ Using English - Storm in a teacup accessed 20 May 2007
  2. ^ World Wide Words - Tempest in a teapot, accessed 23 December 2006