packed like sardines

P

packed like sardines (simile)
/pækt laɪk sɑɹˈdinz/

Meaning

• Describes a situation where individuals are positioned extremely close together, leaving little to no space for movement.
• Refers to people being crammed tightly into a confined area, similar to how sardines are densely packed in a can.
• Indicates a scenario where individuals are so closely packed that they lack sufficient room to move around comfortably.

Variants

• squashed like sardines
• crammed like sardines
• packed in like sardines
• like sardines in a can

Example Sentences

1. During rush hour, commuters were packed like sardines on the subway.
2. At the concert, fans were packed like sardines, barely able to move.
3. The elevator was so full that we were packed like sardines.
4. In the small conference room, attendees were packed like sardines, making it hard to breathe.
5. The refugees were packed like sardines into the overcrowded shelter.

Origin and History

The idiom “packed like sardines” vividly illustrates situations where individuals are crammed into confined spaces, drawing a parallel to the tight packing of sardines in cans. This expression has been a part of the English language for centuries, and its origins are deeply rooted in the history of sardine canning.

The Practice of Canning Sardines

The phrase originates from the method of preserving sardines by tightly packing them in cans. This canning technique ensures that the maximum number of sardines fit into a limited space, maintaining their freshness for extended periods. The visual of sardines snugly arranged in tins led to the metaphorical use of the term to describe overcrowded situations.

Earliest Recorded Usage

The earliest known usage of the phrase dates back to 1841, appearing in The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. The publication used the term “packed up like sardines,” highlighting the cramped conditions of individuals in a confined space. This early reference underscores the phrase’s longstanding presence in the English lexicon.

Evolution and Popularity

Over time, the phrase gained popularity, especially in the 19th and early 20th centuries, as urbanization led to more crowded living and working conditions. Literary works and newspapers from this period frequently employed the idiom to depict overcrowded scenarios, cementing its place in everyday language.

Synonyms

1. crammed in like sardines
2. packed to the gills
3. jam-packed
4. stuffed to capacity
5. chock-full
6. bursting at the seams

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