Malcolm Rivera
The phrase morning constitutional typically refers to an early morning walk taken for health and wellness purposes. The word constitutional in this context stems from the term constitution of a person, suggesting that such a walk contributes to one's physical health and overall well-being. The phrase is often used as a euphemism for a morning bowel movement, dating back to a time when using the bathroom meant going for a walk to the outhouse.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meaning | A short walk taken to maintain or restore good health |
| Origin | The phrase originates from the term "constitution of a person", referring to a person's physical state with regard to vitality, health, and strength |
| Usage | Typically refers to an early morning walk; may also be used humorously to refer to the first visit to the bathroom in the morning |
| History | During the 18th and 19th centuries, doctors often recommended daily walks, and the term "morning constitutional" entered common use during this time |
| Regional Variation | More common in British literature than American letters |
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What You'll Learn
'Constitutional' means a walk that is good for your health
The phrase "morning constitutional" typically refers to an early morning walk taken for health and wellness purposes. The word "constitutional" in this context stems from the term "constitution of a person", suggesting that such a walk contributes to one's physical health and overall well-being. This phrase is not commonly associated with the first visit to the bathroom in the morning, although some might use it humorously to refer to that as well.
The practice of taking a "constitutional walk" dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries when doctors often recommended daily walks as crucial for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This idea is reflected in healthcare texts and literature from that time, showing the importance given to physical activity and well-being. The phrase "constitutional walk" became widely accepted and entered common use, especially in British literature.
Newspaper columnists and editorial writers in the 19th century urged their readers to take up walking as a form of exercise, targeting people in farm areas who might not have been as active. By the early 20th century, city dwellers were also encouraged to walk more, despite the growing use of mass transportation, as a way to improve their health and overcome the "unnatural and perplexing conditions" of urban life.
The "constitutional walk" was seen as a way to gain strength and stability, improve mental clarity, and enhance overall well-being. It was considered a beneficial practice for all, from farmers to city dwellers, contributing to a healthier and happier generation.
In summary, when someone refers to their "morning constitutional", they are usually referring to an early morning walk that is taken to promote their health and well-being. This phrase has its roots in the historical understanding of the importance of physical activity for maintaining a healthy constitution or physical makeup.
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It is also a euphemism for a morning bowel movement
The phrase "morning constitutional" is indeed a euphemism for a morning bowel movement, a daily event that is considered by many to be an essential and regular part of one's daily routine. The word "constitutional" here refers to the idea of something which is customary, habitual, or beneficial to one's health. This phrase is often used to describe a walk or a similar gentle form of daily exercise, and in this context, it takes on a similar meaning—it is a regular, expected, and healthy occurrence.
The use of the word as a euphemism allows for a polite and gentle reference to the act of defecation, which is often considered an impolite or taboo subject in many social situations. By using this phrase, one can refer to the morning bowel movement in a light-hearted and indirect manner, thus avoiding any potential embarrassment or social awkwardness. This phrase is particularly useful for those who may have digestive issues or other health concerns that result in a daily morning ritual of this nature.
The phrase is often associated with an older generation, and it harks back to a time when a morning walk was a common practice, especially for the upper classes, and was considered a healthy and beneficial way to start the day. This daily walk was often undertaken for the specific purpose of stimulating a bowel movement, and so the phrase 'morning constitutional' became linked with this natural bodily function.
The origin of the phrase is thought to be from the 18th century, a time when a morning walk was a common practice, and the act of defecation was not considered as taboo as it is in many modern societies. The phrase has endured and is still used today, often in a light-hearted or humorous manner, to refer to this daily event without causing offense or discomfort.
It is worth noting that the phrase can also be used in a more general sense to refer to any daily routine or practice that is considered beneficial to one's health, but its primary and most well-known usage is as a polite euphemism for a morning bowel movement.
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The phrase is more common in British literature than American
The phrase "morning constitutional" typically refers to an early morning walk taken for health and wellness purposes. The word "constitutional" in this context stems from the term "constitution of a person", suggesting that such a walk contributes to one's physical health and overall well-being. The phrase is more common in British literature than in American literature. This may be because, historically, the British have been associated with taking daily walks, which has been considered a staple of the "British character".
As early as the mid-19th century, American commentators expressed concern about their countrymen's increasingly lazy and unhealthy habits. Newspaper columnists and editorial writers urged their readers to take up walking, promoting the idea of a "constitutional" walk. This phrase, "constitutional walk", was used in healthcare texts and literature in the 18th and 19th centuries, reflecting its association with physical activity and well-being. It was also used to refer to a morning bowel movement, serving as a euphemism for a visit to the bathroom.
The use of the phrase "morning constitutional" to refer to a walk or a trip to the bathroom may have originated from the time when using the bathroom meant going for a walk to the outhouse. The phrase has been used in literature by authors such as Somerset Maugham and George Orwell, who used the phrase ""evening constitutional" in his novel "1984".
While the phrase "morning constitutional" is more commonly associated with British literature, it has also been used in American contexts. For example, in Francis Brett Young's novel "Mr Lucton's Freedom" (1940), the phrase is used ironically to introduce a banal or clichéd sentiment. Additionally, American author Claude Powell Fordyce, in his book "Touring Afoot" (1916), advocated for walking as a way to improve health and well-being, particularly in urban environments.
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The phrase was used by doctors in the 18th and 19th centuries
The phrase "morning constitutional" typically refers to an early morning walk taken for health and wellness purposes. The word "constitutional" in this context is derived from the term "constitution of a person", which suggests that such a walk contributes to one's physical health and overall well-being. The phrase was used by doctors in the 18th and 19th centuries when they often recommended daily walks, viewing them as crucial for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This practice was widely accepted, and thus, the term "morning constitutional" entered common usage.
In the mid-19th century, American commentators expressed concern about their countrymen's increasingly lazy and unhealthy habits. Newspaper columnists and editorial writers urged their readers to take up walking as a form of exercise. For example, an essay titled "Walking as an Exercise", originally printed in the Philadelphia Gazette and reprinted in New England Farmer in 1859, encouraged people in farm areas to take up walking. By the early 20th century, city dwellers were becoming less inclined to walk due to the increasing use of mass transportation. However, some authors, such as Claude Powell Fordyce in his book "Touring Afoot" (1916), continued to advocate for walking as a way to improve health and overcome the "unnatural and perplexing conditions" of urban life.
The phrase "morning constitutional" is more commonly found in British literature than in American literature. It is often used humorously or ironically, especially by the working class, to refer to a purposeless walk or a visit to the bathroom. The use of the phrase in this context may have originated from a time when using the bathroom meant going for a walk to an outhouse, so "going for a walk" became a euphemism for relieving oneself.
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It is an old-fashioned phrase that is rarely used today
The phrase "morning constitutional" is old-fashioned and rarely used today. It typically refers to an early morning walk taken for health and wellness purposes. The word "constitutional" in this context stems from the term ""constitution" of a person, suggesting that such a walk contributes to one's physical health and overall well-being. This phrase is sometimes also used as a euphemism for a morning bowel movement, referring to the time when using the bathroom meant going for a walk to the outhouse.
The origin of this phrase dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries when doctors often recommended daily walks as crucial for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This practice became widely accepted, and the term "morning constitutional" entered common use. During this time, many American commentators expressed concern about their countrymen's increasingly sedentary lifestyles. Newspaper columnists and editorial writers urged their readers to take up walking as a form of exercise, promoting the idea of a "constitutional" walk.
The phrase "morning constitutional" was more common in British literature and culture than in American letters. It was associated with the notion of the "old English habit" of taking a daily walk, which was believed to contribute to the strength and stability of the British character. By the early 20th century, however, city dwellers in America and other countries were increasingly relying on mass transportation and becoming less inclined to take healthy walks. Authors and health advocates, such as Claude Powell Fordyce, began to encourage walking as a way to counteract the sedentary nature of urban life.
While the phrase "morning constitutional" may have originated from the emphasis on daily walks for health reasons, it also carried a certain air of poshness, especially among the working class. It seemed to imply that one needed to take a purposeless walk to get exercise, when in fact, many working-class individuals were already engaging in physical labour throughout their day. Today, the phrase is rarely used, and when it is, it often carries a humorous tone, reflecting its old-fashioned nature.
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Frequently asked questions
The phrase "morning constitutional" typically refers to an early morning walk for health and wellness purposes.
The origin of the phrase dates back to a time when daily walks were recommended for maintaining health. This practice became widely accepted and the term "morning constitutional" entered common use.
The phrase is more common in British literature than in American letters. It was much more common among older people and seemed to carry a bit of feigned poshness among the working class.
Yes, the phrase has been used in literature by authors such as Somerset Maugham and George Orwell in his novel "1984".
