Meaning & Analysis
The phrase humorously describes someone who is so frightened that their buttocks or tail involuntarily tightens or puckers—likened to making 'buttons.'
Insights
Intense Fear
The proverb vividly expresses a state of overwhelming fear or panic, especially the kind that triggers involuntary physical reactions.
Loss of Composure
It mocks the collapse of bravado or confidence, showing how quickly people who seem bold can be reduced to trembling when genuinely threatened.
Mockery of Cowardice
Used to ridicule someone who shows signs of cowardice or terror, especially when they’ve previously postured as brave or defiant.
Bodily Humor in Folk Speech
The proverb is part of a long tradition of earthy, body-based humor in vernacular speech, using physical metaphors to express emotional states with visceral immediacy and comedic effect.
Fear and Shame
The expression captures a deeply human and somewhat taboo intersection of fear, shame, and bodily response—highlighting how fright breaks down social facades and control.
Theatrical and Popular Appeal
Its frequent use in comedic drama and popular texts of the 16th and 17th centuries shows how well it resonated with audiences—delivering vivid imagery that invited laughter and identification.
Rhetorical Devices
Euphemism and Slang
‘Making buttons’ functions as a euphemistic way to describe involuntary physical reactions to fear, softening the crudeness with humorous metaphor.
Visual Metaphor
The idea of a rear end 'making buttons' offers a striking and grotesque image, reinforcing the proverb’s humorous treatment of terror.
Colloquial Tone
The phrase’s casual, almost vulgar tone contributes to its effectiveness in oral culture and comedic performance, making it both vivid and memorable.
Transcription
Quotations
His arse makith buttens now.
My buttocks made buttons of the new fashion.
There is no remedy For feare my tayle makes buttons.
As much to say trembling or quaking for feare, as wee say his taile makes buttons.
Then there's a cooke—Whose arse makes buttons.
His taile doeth make buttons.
O Soto, I make buttons!
(breech).
(taile).
To be in a pannick fear, for ones arse to make buttons.
(breech).
(breech).
*Spoken of him who is in a terrible Fright, or as they say, Dirt stay'd.
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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