I have steam coming out of my ears!

[vil]

Dear teachers,

I read a new for me closing phrase in my yesterday's incoming post.

"Ok, that is it for this week. I have steam coming out of my ears!"

Thanks to context I guessed that the expression "I have steam coming out of my ears!" = I am very angry! I am so upset!

Could you tell me whether this expression is a common occurrence in English language?

Regards.

V.

[Holty]

The expression is not in common use in English but is usually used visually to depict exasperation or frustration (think cartoons such as Mickey Mouse etc). The expression shows that the person writing the message was frustrated by something.

[vil]

Hi Holty,

Thank you for your prompt and categorical reply.

Thank you also for making more precise correction of my initial conjecture.

Regards.

V.

[Ouisch]

It's not entirely uncommon in AmE usage...I have heard people in the office discussing something that had gone wrong, and one person asked, "Was the boss angry?" The reply: "Angry?! You could practically see the steam coming out of his ears!"

[vil]

Hi Quisch,

Thank you for telling your thoughts on the matter. I know that Mickey Mouse is an American product, thence it follows that this phrase would be in more general currency in US, than in conservative England. How funny! The mentioned incoming post in my former note was just from England. This was the cause of my inquiry.

Thank you again for your attention.

Regards.

V.

[2006]

"steaming mad" and even just "steaming" are quite commonly used.
The boss was steaming mad this morning.

A...I heard the boss was really mad this morning.
B...I never saw him so mad before. He was steaming!

[Holty]

I suppose what I meant was that the phrase is rarely used to describe how one is feeling about themselves. As the previous poster suggested it may well be used to describe how somebody else was behaving and also in the UK too.

Andy

[fiona bramble]

"steaming mad" and even just "steaming" are quite commonly used.
The boss was steaming mad this morning.

A...I heard the boss was really mad this morning.
B...I never saw him so mad before. He was steaming!

2006, as a fellow Canadian, you must have also heard "steamed"(with the same meaning of course)...? I can say that I have heard that participle more often than the -ing one!

or is it....
F

[vil]

Hi 2006,

Thank you for your attention as well as for your undivided support.

Your examples are very weighty.

Thank you again.

Regards.

V.

[vil]

Hi Fiona Bramble,

Thank you for your relevant intervention. Thanks to it now I know a new variety of the mentioned above term.

steamed = 1. cooked in steam
2. aroused to impatience or anger
3. get very angry

Thank you for your attention.

Regards.

V.