A stitch

Posted by Lotg on January 10, 2004

When I was a kid, I'd often gulp my milk or food down too quickly, which would result in a pain in my tummy that my parents always called a 'stitch'. I was reminded of that tonight, when I ate my pasta too quickly and I got that same tummy pain. I sat back holding my stomach, much to the concern of my partner. So I told him it's OK, it's only a 'stitch' - which is of course a temporary pain that passes. Something I haven't experienced for some years because I've mostly grown out of gulping my food down.

So why on earth would a pain in the tummy from eating too much too quickly, be called a 'stitch'? Is this only an Aussie term, or is it commonly used in any English speaking country?

• A stitch Dr Dolittle 10/January/04
  • A stitch Ward Fredericks 10/January/04
    • A stitch James Briggs 10/January/04