Rex Trulove
There are times when most people will find themselves or others complaining quite vocally in regard to something they can’t change or may not even want to change. This is sometimes called either ‘venting’ or ‘blowing off steam’. ‘Venting’ actually has the same origin and is the shortened form of ‘venting steam’. The origin of these phrases is straight-forward and the reasoning behind them is also easy to understand.
Locomotives, ships, cars, and even heating systems have used steam for the propulsion or heating since the steam engine was invented. To do this, water is heated in a boiler to produce the steam. The system works, particularly for propulsion because steam produces a great deal of pressure that can then be used to move the locomotive, car, or ship.
The problem is that the steam can and often does produce more pressure than the boiler is capable of containing. If some of the excess pressure isn’t released, the boiler will explode. For this reason, most boilers are equipped with a special pressure valve. Even water heaters have this valve. When the pressure in the boiler reaches a certain level, the valve opens to allow the release of steam, thus preventing the boiler from exploding. The valves are called “blow off” valves and that is precisely what they do. They blow off steam and reduce pressure.
The phrase we use for the person who is complaining for no real purpose is an analogy. The idea is that if a person doesn’t release the pent-up frustration of a situation, they are likely to figuratively explode. Thus, they need to ‘blow off steam’.
We get the terms from steam engines.
I guess blowing off steam can be a good thing.
That’s true, especially considering what happens if it isn’t blown off.
How cool Image, waoo Nice Work Sir!!!
Your picture of the locomotive reminded me that I was born in one such train in 1952.Eh.
There are still a few steam locomotives here in the US, though most of them are now diesel.
How cool is this analogy. Makes complete sense.
I think so, too. It also explains why water heaters have a blow-off valve on them.
I never did know where this saying came from, so I learned something new today!
I’m very glad to hear that. It is interesting to find out where these common phrases come from.
Nice. I’ve heard the phrase many times, nice to know where it came from!
The origin also makes a lot of sense, doesn’t it?
It really does. There was a great show on the history channel that used to do the origins of words. It always made me think, laugh and then think again!
I missed that one. Do you remember the name of the show? It sounds interesting.
I think it was called AMericas secret stang or something like that on the history channel.
I’ll see if I can find it. Thanks!