- This term is a metaphor that compares the pain of hurting your butt to unhappiness felt after a minor setback. In both cases, while painful, both are fleeting and have no long-term effect. As a result, it would be foolish to lament over such a minor thing. Often used as an insult or in a pejorative manner, directed at somebody who is unhappy. It is often meant as an insult, implying that the person is overly emotional. This word was probably coined because it is a creative and humorous way to poke fun at overly emotional friends.
Butt-hurt
noun; compounding
Overly or unnecessarily affected by unhappiness or dejection; unhappiness or melancholy brought on by a small event
Etymology : A compound word that combines ‘butt’ + ‘hurt’ in a hyphenated compound. ‘Butt’ is a clipping of ‘buttocks,’ which comes from O.E. ‘buttuc,’ meaning ‘end, short piece of land.’ ‘Hurt’ comes from O.Fr. ‘hurter,’ meaning ‘to ram, strike, collide.’
Source : Conversation with friends (10/4/2008) “He is butt-hurt over losing his socks in the laundry.”
Last modified: 3 December 2008