What are the cockles of my heart … and why do they need warming?
What’s a cockle? And how does it warm my heart?
The other morning, Don looked across the breakfast table, blue eyes shining, and told me how much he loves me. I responded, “And you warm the cockles of my heart.” Then we both chuckled – what did that even mean? And what’s a cockle?
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, 2/11/05, “Cockles of the heart are its ventricles, named by some in Latin as ‘cochleae cordis’, from ‘cochlea’ (snail), alluding to their shape.” These warm cockles, or ventricles, make us feel warm and fuzzy, reflecting the depths of our emotions or feelings. But somehow “You warm the ventricles of my heart” just doesn’t have the same ring to it as “cockles” does.
Hearing from another perspective about idioms we use without thinking makes us consider the meaning of what we say. For six months, I had the privilege of managing a lovely woman from Japan here in the US. Shion was such fun, and often she would come to my cubicle:
“What is ‘off the cuff’?” or
Water off a duck’s back
I love this blog, especially Don’s sweet comment. Charles often referred to me as ‘Miss Cuteness,’ and every time he said it, he warmed the cockles of my heart!! But now, thanks to you, I know the meaning of that expression. I expect I will be explaining some idioms during the coming days while I host a Japanese student for two weeks.
You will indeed, Karen, and the explaining will probably be fun for both you and the Japanese student. How soon is he/she arriving? Bless you as you host this student. I also love that Charles referred to you as “Miss Cuteness.” I can hear him saying it – it fits!
I didn’t know about what that idiom meant. That’s neat! I had a Japanese roommate in college. Once, she tried to use one of our idioms. She told me she was hungry because she “jumped over” breakfast. 🙂
I love your example, Columba. It makes us think when someone uses an idiom incorrectly (according to our understanding) and we have to figure out what they’re saying. This one is fun. I’ll have to try “jumping over breakfast” sometime!