Where did the phrase stuffed to gills come from?

The phrase "stuffed to the gills" is a metaphor, meaning it uses a figurative image to describe a feeling or situation. It refers to the way fish are often stuffed with food for preservation or cooking.

Here's the breakdown:

* Gills: These are the organs fish use to breathe underwater. They're located on the sides of their head.

* Stuffed: This means to fill something tightly, often with food.

* Metaphor: The phrase equates the fullness of a person's stomach to the fullness of a fish's gills after it's been stuffed with food.

Origin of the phrase:

The exact origin of the phrase is unknown, but it's been used in English for centuries. The earliest recorded use was in 1869, but it likely predates that.

Meaning:

"Stuffed to the gills" is used to describe someone who has eaten a lot of food and is feeling very full, almost to the point of discomfort.

Example:

"I ate so much at the buffet, I'm stuffed to the gills!"