Definition of belly laugh

The term "belly laugh" is commonly used to describe a hearty, deep, and contagious laughter that originates from the diaphragm and resonates in the belly. This expression is thought to have evolved from the literal sensation that occurs during such a laugh, which causes the abdominal muscles to tense and expand outward, almost as if someone's belly is "laughing" along with them. The first known use of the term "belly laugh" can be traced back to the 1920s, in a poem by the American writer Carl Sandburg titled "Suddenly the Blue Moment." In this work, Sandburg writes: "Folks all around me, laughing like mad / bellies kicking like longhorn cattle / as we stand here waiting for the ferry." Although the term is now widely recognized and widely used, its exact origin is a topic of some debate. Some linguists argue that the term may have derived from the Old English verb "blæcan," which means "to laugh." In Old English, the word for belly was "bælc," causing the modern term "belly laugh" to be the logical evolution. Others, however, suggest that the word may be related to the Old Norse verb "blekkr," meaning "to shake," in reference to the shaking of the abdomen during an intense laugh. Regardless of its specific origin, the term has become a common part of the English lexicon, and is frequently used in writing and in everyday conversation to describe the most joyful and abundant kind of laughter. It is a testament to the universal and visceral nature of laughter, and a reminder of how powerful and contagious a truly good laugh can be.