However, “yellow-bellied sapsucker” in public lore, has a much more colorful meaning. It is used to describe someone who is cowardly or lacking courage.
The earliest known use of “yellow-bellied sapsucker” as an insult or criticism of a cowardly person can be found over 150 years ago.
A turn of this phrase today, describes someone who is a coward, weak, timid, easily frightened. Yellow belly implies cowardice, lack of fortitude, “yellow streak”. Sapsucker suggests laziness, inertia, ineffectiveness.
All together, these elements create an image of a cowardly, lazy person who lacks drive and courage…As the calendar clicks to February, the Yellow Belly Sapsuckers have returned to Henniker!
Public Hearing Budget Season 2025 is upon us…
ohb, keeping it real…Off the record, on the QT and very hush-hush…you can be the judge…