Episode 270: Bite My Head Off

 

This week Shauna and Dan explore the phrase, Bite My Head Off. Which feels better than the earlier version of this phrase. Bonus: Grump Valentines, Chocolate Bunnies, and Praying Mantises all the way down

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Bunny Trails: A Word History Podcast
Episode 270: Bite My Head Off
Record Date: March 10, 2025
Air Date: March 19, 2025

Intro

Dan:
Welcome to Bunny Trails, a whimsical adventure of idioms and other turns of phrase.

I’m Dan Pugh

Shauna:
And I’m Shauna Harrison

Each week we take an idiom or other turn of phrase and try to tell the story from its entry into the English language, to how it’s used today.


Opening Hook
While I was walking into the grocer the other day, I saw a woman park her vehicle, then another person parked their vehicle and hurriedly got out. The second woman started to tell the first that she’d parked way too far to her side of the stalls and it was completely tacky behavior… she basically bit the lady’s head off.

Meaning

According to Oxford English Dictionary, “to bite a person's head off” means:

Quote
to give a sharp, curt, or angry reply to something; to issue a fierce reproof or criticism (especially when this is felt to be unwarranted).
End quote
https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/wait+for+the+other+shoe+to+drop  

There is a precursor to this phrase which mentions a different part of the body…

According to Oxford English Dictionary, “to bite a person's nose off” means:

Quote
to reply in a curt, sharp, or angry manner.
End quote
https://www.oed.com/dictionary/nose_n?tab=meaning_and_use#34221006


1599
This version of the phrase started appearing in print in the late 1500s such as the following quote from the 1599 work Lenten Stuffe by Thomas Nashe.

Quote
She was a shrewish snappish bawd, that would bite off a man's nose with an answer.
End quote
https://www.oed.com/dictionary/nose_n?tab=meaning_and_use#34221006


1709
Yet another variation on the phrase appeared in the early 1700s. This variation uses nose and uses the verb snap rather than bite. The example we’re going to look at comes from The Busie Body: A Comedy by Susanna Centlivre, published in 1709.

Quote
Ha! Mis Patch alone, did not you tell me you had contriv'd a way to bring Isabinda to the Park?

Patch. Oh, Madam, your Ladiship can't imagine what a wretched Disappointment we have met with: Just as I had fetch'd a Suit of my Cloaths for a Disguise: comes my old Master into his Closet, which is right against her Chamber Door; this struck us into a terrible Fright— At length I put on a Grave Face, and ask'd him if he was at leisure for his Chocolate, in hopes to draw him out of his Hole; but he snap'd my Nose off, No, I shall be busie here this two Hours; at which my poor Mistress seeing no way of Escape, order'd me to wait on your Ladiship with the sad Relation.
End quote
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/16740/16740-h/16740-h.htm

These variations carry the same general meaning as biting someone’s head off. Nose and snap have been used but the primary phrase settled on bite and head. This common version showed up around the same time as snap entered the scene - the early 1700s.

1708
For our first example of this version, let’s take a look at the 1708 work, The Life of Guzman D'Alfarache Or, The Spanish Rogue by Mateo Alemán and John Savage.

Quote
Other Matters of this kind are understood admirably well by these Gentlemen with the little Bands, who will not fail to bite your Head off if you have anything to do with them.
End quote
https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Life_of_Guzman_D_Alfarache/T7EGAAAAQAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=bite+off+your+head&pg=PA442&printsec=frontcover

The piece is warning about disrupting individuals who are playing cards and involved in betting.

I found another example from the early 1700s in John Jackson’s A New Translation of Aesop’s Fables, Adorn’d with Cutts; Suited to the Fables. This particular work puts the fables into plain and popular language of the day, including some more creative and less appropriate language. We’ll take a closer look at this work in our behind the scenes which is available to all of our patrons every Friday at patreon.com/bunnytrailspod.


1797
This next example is from a play called The Will: A Comedy by Frederic Reynolds found in the Reynolds' Plays published in 1797.

Quote
Oh! I was sure this would be the case! -What shall I do? I've a great mind to take courage -to summon up all my resolution, and go boldly within ten yards of him.
[She advances. Howard turns, and frowns at her-She is frightened, and stops. He turns his back again, and she goes nearer to him.]
Lord!
he takes it very quietly I'll go closer. So - I dare say if I were to touch him he wouldn't bite my head off.
End quote
https://www.google.com/books/edition/Reynolds_Plays/-5ZKAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22bite+my+head+off%22&pg=RA12-PA65&printsec=frontcover


1847
Up next, we have The Love Match by Henry Cockton, published in 1847. Here’s an excerpt,

Quote
"You don't care a bit about my feelings," sobbed Mary.

"You wrong me, Mary; but come, let us say no more about it."
"I don't like to be spoken to as if you was going to bite my head off; and, another thing is, I won't put up with it."
End quote
https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Love_Match/ejBLAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22bite+my+head+off%22&pg=PA158&printsec=frontcover
 
One thing to note here is that the character who shows some evidence of biting someone’s head off, is not objectively stronger in the scene. This isn’t the first time this occurs in print but it does help to highlight the idiomatic nature of the phrase. Mary’s power is in her verbal interactions.

1918
We find our next item in the June 01, 1918 edition of Goodwin's weekly : a thinking paper for thinking people, out of Salt Lake City, Utah. This comes from the story A Red Sunset by Bertha Helen Crabbe. In the story, young people are at a mingle of sorts where there is dancing and general hanging out happening. Here is the excerpt,

Quote
The boy was sick of her. He drew away as far as the seat would permit. She immediately moved nearer. He frowned out of the window across the aisle. She leaned over in front of him, and chattered up into his averted face. Suddenly he turned and glared at her, his little blue eyes savage, his lips snarling.
Her light laughter broke off, suspended in mid-air. Her face stiffened, the small chin grew sharp.
“Why’n’t you bite my head off?” she snapped.
End quote
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/2010218519/1918-06-01/ed-1/seq-12/#date1=1900&index=1&rows=20&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&words=bite+head+my+off&proxdistance=5&date2=1920&ortext=&proxtext=&phrasetext=bite+my+head+off&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1

Now, I won’t give her behavior a name… but I will say, I don’t like it.

1933
Now we’re going to look at the serial story Forbidden Valley by Byron Mowery. Our excerpt comes from Chapter 14: Sonya Apologizes, which was published in the November 28, 1933 edition of The Daily Alaska empire, out of Juneau, Alaska.

Quote
Why, it was as much my fault as yours,” he insisted, as they started up toward the factor’s house. “I threw out a big wild statement and you caught me up on it. But honestly” - he was thinking of her  javelin-sharp words - “I’d hate to ever get into a real quarrel with you.”
“Am I that bad?”
“Oh, you’re positively formidable! To change the subject, there’s something I’d like to say, if you won’t bite my head off.”
End quote
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045499/1933-11-28/ed-1/seq-7/#date1=1925&index=3&rows=20&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&words=bite+head+my+off&proxdistance=5&date2=1940&ortext=&proxtext=&phrasetext=bite+my+head+off&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1

They have a very positive interaction. I thought that little piece was fun and well-written. He’s really taking a chance after that exchange.

1948
I have one more reference to look at in our older items. This is an ad from the February 15, 1948 edition of the Evening star out of Washington, D.C.

The ad is in the form of a comic, titled, I’m his wife… but not his VALENTINE!

In the first panel, Jane looks at her husband as he reads the paper and she says,

Quote
Sometimes I wonder about Jerry. Before we were married, he gave me presents on Valentines’ Eve. But look at him now! Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and he looks ready to bite my head off. I’m almost afraid to speak to him…
End quote
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1948-02-15/ed-1/seq-104/#date1=1940&index=0&rows=20&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&words=bite+head+my+off&proxdistance=5&date2=1963&ortext=&proxtext=&phrasetext=bite+my+head+off&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1

In the following panels, he reveals an upset stomach and Jane gives him the cure and they have a magical Valentine’s Day. What was the magical cure?
Phillip’s Milk of Magnesia. I love seeing older ads for products that are still on shelves today.

We have several modern uses to cover and we’ll get to those, right after we say thank you to our sponsors.

A Quick Thank You
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Modern Uses

1996
Bite Your Head Off is a 1996 book from the Hair-Raisers series by Margaret Clark & Lee Striker. Here is a synopsis from QBD Books,  

Quote
Rowan, Beth, Jamie and Belinda think their holiday in this rundown seaside resort looks boring. Until they meet "Mother". "Mother" only bites the heads off those she loves, and she wants to rule the world. So, as you enter her bizarre underground headquarters with Rowan, Beth and their friends, don't just keep your head down - keep your head!
End quote
https://www.qbd.com.au/hair-raisers-05-bite-your-head-off/margaret-clark-lee-striker/9780091832803/

2013
Bite Your Head Off is a 2013 song by the metal band, King Parrot. The group is a sort of mix of modern Grindcore, Crossover Thrash and Hardcore. This song is from their debut album, Bite Your Head Off. Here is the opening stanza:

Quote
I'll bite your head off
If you come too close to the stage
I'll bite your head off
If you don't like what I got to say
I'll bite your head off
I like to scream saying something absurd
I'll bite your head off
If you think that we sound like a turd
I'll bite your head off
End Quote
https://candlelightrecordsuk.bandcamp.com/album/bite-your-head-off

2021
Bite My Head Off is a 2023 song by The Rolling Stones, featuring Paul McCartney. The first verse starts,

Quote
Why you bite my head off?
Why you bite my head off?
Why you get so pissed off?
Why you bite my head off now?


Why you bite my head off?
Actin' such a jerk off
Why you have to mouth off?
I got the world to worry about
End quote
https://youtu.be/Mrjv_i_lVwo?si=4fswZpqV_klRoHiV

It’s a song with a quick, fun beat… as might be expected from The Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney.

Current
Bite Today’s Head Off is an art print by illustrator Natalie Kovacs on The Red Caboose. The Red Caboose is a regional artisan center dedicated to providing opportunities to Appalachian creatives.

The illustration shows a praying mantis, a leaf and the phrase “Bite Today’s Head Off.” The artist shares,

Quote
Challenge the day and seize the... head?! This is a 5x7 art print of my original Bite Today's Head Off illustration.
End quote
https://shoptheredcaboosewv.com/products/bite-todays-head-off-art-print-5x7


Current
On Etsy, I found a mug featuring Maxine. It’s a Hallmark Greetings Crabby Lady coffee mug. Maxine is a comic, mostly on greeting cards. Maxine is this old lady with blue hair and she’s always grouchy. She’s on the mug which reads,

Quote
Don't Worry If I Bite Your Head Off. I'll Spit It Out
End Quote

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1868055792/maxine-coffee-mug-cup-hallmark-shoebox?ls=s&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=%26quot%3Bbite+your+head+off%26quot%3B&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&sts=1&content_source=b09194483165aaac720c0de164b2f1024cd05011%253A1868055792&search_preloaded_img=1&organic_search_click=1&logging_key=b09194483165aaac720c0de164b2f1024cd05011%3A1868055792


Current
"Bite My Head Off" is a t-shirt available from Life Is Good. The shirt features a depiction of a chocolate bunny with the text,

Quote
You don’t have to bite my head off.
End quote
https://www.lifeisgood.com/men/all-tee-shirts/mens-bite-my-head-off--crusher-tee-CRRTMA.html?srsltid=AfmBOoowdG-Zo1IUAEZo4WyHWaFAcjtoB4B2cICKUB4SuckrbUVUUVVT

To be fair… when I eat a chocolate bunny, I start with the ears. And yes, I feel bad about it every time I eat one!

Wrap up:
The phrase "bite my head off" carries a strong intensity, one that is clearly not meant to be taken literally. It can be playful when used in the right context or simply a way to express ourselves. Often, we rely on extreme expressions because they convey our emotions more effectively than carefully dissecting the nuances of our reactions. You may not see it the same way, and that’s perfectly fine. I only ask that if you do disagree… please don’t bite my head off!

Shauna:
That’s about all we have for today. If you have any thoughts on the show, or pop culture references we should have included, reach out to us on Patreon, patreon.com/bunnytrailspod, or comment on our website, bunnytrailspod.com

Dan:

It’s poll time!

Recently we asked our Patrons, What is the bigger frustration? Potholes or Broken Sidewalks?

There was 100% consensus on this one… “Cracked or broken sidewalks.”  

Heather says:
Quote
Since I've started using a walker or cane, I notice so many more uneven and broken sidewalks! (including in my own front yard, but I'm working toward an eventual fix for that)
End Quote

Cheryl shares this sentiment:
Quote
I use a walker so cracked sidewalks can be a menace.
End quote

Shauna:
I agree on the sidewalks. Unless the potholes have turned into large craters, they are sometimes annoying but mostly inconsequential. However, an uneven sidewalk can be more problematic, even if the unevenness seems minimal.

Dan:
Broken sidewalks are always the bigger issue for me. While potholes can be a problem, they are also relatively easy to get fixed. The City of Wichita usually fills potholes within 24 hours of them being reported. Sidewalks, however, can stay broken for a while. And whether I'm walking or jogging, the broken sidewalks can be brutal. And sometimes instead of fixing them they just 'close the sidewalk' so now I have to walk into the street or private property to go around it, making it even worse. Which makes broken sidewalks inconvenient and unsafe for me, but devastating to the mobility of those who use assistive devices to get around.

As a reminder, our silly polls mean absolutely nothing and are not scientifically valid. And patrons of all levels, including our free tiers, can take part. Head over to patreon.com/bunnytrailspod to take this week’s poll!

Outro

Dan:
Thanks for joining us. We’ll talk to you again next week. Until then remember,

Together:
Words belong to their users.