its like opening up a can of worms

[dirty30]

It hit me today, that this "end all" conversation tool could have once been linked to something incredibly real and destructive. When used as a simile, the recipient of the phrase may take some offense because they were most likey about to attempt something that could have dire consequences. Perhaps it is used mostly as a warning, but it leaves me scratching my head most of the time. I did a quick search and found the following:

-Wikipedia used large words in its "definition" so I immediately hit the back button on my browser

-idioms.freedictionary.com said it can sometimes be used without the "open up" part, it doesn't sound right to me that way

-google images naturally didn't make sense with a picture of the pope and condom ghosts


Does anyone have any clues where this came from? Has anyone opened a can of worms, only to find it is a very pleasant and tolerable experience? Has anyone ever experienced the horrific consequences of a failed can of worms opening procedure?

[Peterkaczynski]

lol wut

[joshuaaa]

lol wut

+1 for having no idea what your talking about.

[fretburnr]

This is just my own speculation, but...

Maybe it would have originally applied if one were intending to open a can of, say, pineapple chunks, but instead found maggots (worms?) inside? That could be a rather dismaying situation. In this case, expecting one thing and getting a significantly different result?

Or maybe instead it refers to the idea that a can with worms inside wouldn't just open up like a can of corn, but the worms would crawl out and get everywhere. The idea here would be that entering said situation would have consequences that reach out to unintended places.

Or maybe just because it sounds gross?

[Collin]

When you open a can of worms, assuming they are packed to the brim, some will get out. And hunting worms is unpleasant. I guess...

[BobombETA]

lol this post is great.

[xLibelle]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=can+of+worms+origin

maybe?


(actually, google completed my thought with its suggestions)


Cliff Notes: Fishermen have told me that the most annoying aspect of opening a can of worms is that, being live bait, they crawl out and are difficult to put back. So there may well be an association with the idea of Pandora's Box, as you suspect.

[Massive Lee]

When you open a can of worms, assuming they are packed to the brim, some will get out. And hunting worms is unpleasant. I guess...

Latin languages will prefer to use "a basket of crabs". "can of worms" is typical anglo saxon.

[CincinnatiKid]

Somebody call that show A Way with Words, on NPR and ask them.

[Raxe]

It's an idiom for an unpleasant surprise. Expecting something good or easy and getting something bad or difficult. The can of fruit example given above is correct.

[ColdAccord]

i hear in the navy way back in the day dude's were at sea for so long they'd keep a can of worms to bang. feels live like the pussah, and the protein keeps the lil guys alive.

ha!

[daniel]

i hear in the navy way back in the day dude's were at sea for so long they'd keep a can of worms to bang. feels live like the pussah, and the protein keeps the lil guys alive.

ha!

grosssss