Ears BurningSouthern Saying and Old Superstition
Growin' up, whenever I told my Momma my ears were burning, she'd always tell me somebody was talking about me. Growin' up, whenever I told my Momma my ears were burning, she'd always tell me somebody was talking about me. Origin
The belief goes back to ancient Rome, where writers like Pliny the Elder noted that hot ears were a sign others were speaking about you. The superstition spread across Europe, with the added twist that the right ear burning meant you were being praised, while the left ear meant you were being criticized.
Settlers carried the saying into America, where it became part of everyday speech in the South and Appalachia. While it lost some of its literal weight, the phrase stuck as a way of joking about gossip.
Notes
Legacy
Though the belief is ancient and widespread, the South has kept it alive as a familiar saying. Today, it’s heard more as a figure of speech than a superstition, showing how old folklore often softens into everyday language.
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How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 7). Ears Burning
Southern Saying and Old Superstition . HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/ears-burning-superstition - MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Ears Burning
Southern Saying and Old Superstition ." HillbillySlang.com, 7 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/ears-burning-superstition. - Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Ears Burning
Southern Saying and Old Superstition ." HillbillySlang.com. November 7, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/ears-burning-superstition.
Dislaimer
What you're reading here is old Southern folklore and storytelling - not medical advice, and not meant to guide health, or pregnancy decisions (especially pregnancy decisions!). These tales are part of how folks once made sense of the world, passed down from grandparents and midwives.
If you have any medical questions or concerns, talk with a qualified healthcare professional.
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