Got the hump

Posted by ESC on November 26, 2001 at

In Reply to: Got the hump posted by James Briggs on November 26, 2001

: : where does this phrase originate?

: As a guess - it could be related to the look of unhappiness associated with a disappointment. People in this type of mood are often down-in-the-mouth and slouch around with their heads lowered and eyes on the gound, thereby giving their back a somewhat curved shape - a bit like a hump.

It makes me think of the little kid who has to sit in the middle in the back of the car -- on the hump.