have the hots for
have the hots for (idiom)
/hæv ðə hɑts fɔr/
Meaning
- Be infatuated or intensely interested in someone romantically.
- Be extremely fond of or obsessed with someone in a physical sense.
- Desire someone in a passionate or lustful way.
- Feel a strong sexual attraction toward someone.
Synonyms: crush; infatuation; lust; desire; attraction; fancy; yearn; long; want.
Example Sentences
- He’s obviously have the hots for his coworker—he can’t stop staring at her.
- She clearly have the hots for that actor; she talks about him all the time.
- I used to have the hots for my neighbor back in college.
- Even after years of marriage, he still have the hots for his wife.
Origin and History
The phrase “have the hots for someone” is generally understood to have emerged as a slang expression in the mid-20th century. It quickly became a popular way to convey intense feelings of attraction or desire, going beyond simple liking or admiration. This suggests a period where language was becoming more informal and expressive in conveying personal sentiments.
“Hots” as a Descriptor of Desire
The core of the idiom lies in the word “hots.” This plural noun, used in this specific context, refers to a state of strong sexual desire or attraction. The connection to “hot” in its literal sense – suggesting heat, fever, or an intense physical sensation – is clear. It evokes a feeling of being “heated” or “inflamed” with passion.
An American Genesis
While the exact country where “have the hots for” first appeared is not explicitly stated as a single definitive location, evidence strongly suggests its origin in the United States. Early printed records and dictionary entries often identify it as originating from American slang. The casual and direct nature of the phrase aligns with the development of American English slang during the 20th century.
Earliest Recorded Appearance
One of the earliest known printed records of “the hots” in this sense can be found in the 1942 Savitar, the University of Missouri Yearbook. This yearbook mentions “the hots” as “one of the most vivid bits of campus slang, or lingo, to emanate from any campus in a long while.” It further clarifies its meaning as “the ‘college’ way of saying somebody’s in love with or inclined in that direction toward another person.”
The yearbook provides examples like, “He’s really got the hots for her” or “She’s got the deep endurin’ hots for him,” indicating that the phrase was already in active use and understood within that student community. This specific mention suggests that the idiom might have gained traction within college environments before spreading more widely.
Imagined Roots: A Fever of Affection
Beyond documented evidence, one can imagine the phrase evolving from a more general sense of being “hot” or “feverish” with emotion. When one is deeply infatuated or consumed by desire, there can be a physiological response – a quickened pulse, a blush, a feeling of warmth. “Having the hots” could have been a vivid, colloquial way to describe this internal “fever” of affection. It suggests an overwhelming feeling, a kind of internal combustion fueled by attraction.
The Simplicity of Expression
The phrase’s enduring popularity likely stems from its simplicity and directness. It conveys a strong emotion without being overly verbose or formal. In a world where quick and impactful communication is valued, “have the hots for” provides an immediate understanding of intense attraction, making it a natural fit for everyday conversation and popular culture.
Variants
- got the hots for
- has the hots for
- having the hots for
- had the hots for
Similar Idioms
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