to be tickled pink

AlexAD · Jan 13, 2012

Hello.

The dictionary says this idiom means being very pleased or amused.
I wonder if it is because when you are tickled to pale (can I say that?)
you usually laugh and look very happy.

I would be grateful if you would correct any mistakes in this post.

Thanks, Alex.

JohnParis · Jan 13, 2012

"Tickled pale" is not an expression I have heard in English.

When a person is tickled, they generally experience an increase in heart rate and movement. Often, this makes their face blush "pink". Furthermore, tickling is an affectionate action (watch a baby when she's tickled) that elicits feelings of joy and happiness, as you have mentioned.

BobSmith · Jan 20, 2012

AlexAD said:
Hello.

The dictionary says this idiom [STRIKE]does[/STRIKE] means being very pleased or amused. - I'm tempted to suggest quote marks around the phrase, to denote when it starts and stops, but I think technically that is not correct with "says this ... means". Perhaps just italicizing it would help.
I wonder if it is because when you are tickled to pale (can I say that?),
you usually laugh and look very happy.

Also, I would be grateful [STRIKE]to you[/STRIKE] if you would correct [STRIKE]my[/STRIKE] any mistakes in this post.

- I would include "Also" or "Additionally" here to denote that this is an additional request, unrelated to the question at hand.
- "my" is fine here, but to me is suggests there definitely are mistakes, whereas "any" doesn't.

Thanks, Alex.

[not a teacher]

to be tickled pink

AlexAD

Senior Member

JohnParis

Senior Member

BobSmith

Senior Member

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