What does meaning of "Thrilled to bits" origin ?
Hi there,

Studying english with textbook, I encountered a idiom.

The idiom is "Thrilled to bits". I found out the meaning of it "very happy" on web dictionary.
But I wonder why the idiom means so happy. I looked for origin of meaning, I couldn't.
So could you please tell me the origin ?

If you can't get it, just please ask me any questions.

Thanks

Question

What does meaning of "Thrilled to bits" origin ?
Hi there,

Studying english with textbook, I encountered a idiom.

The idiom is "Thrilled to bits". I found out the meaning of it "very happy" on web dictionary.
But I wonder why the idiom means so happy. I looked for origin of meaning, I couldn't.
So could you please tell me the origin ?

If you can't get it, just please ask me any questions.

Thanks

Answer

I'm not sure exactly where it comes from, but "thrill" means "excite" or "make happy."

"I'm thrilled by your good news." - "I'm very happy to hear your news."

"Thrilled to bits" means I'm so happy I'm breaking into pieces. It's very figurative.

For me, it's also something that my grandmother would have used, rather than something used by the current generation.

Hope this helps!

Answer

to be thrilled means excited and happy.
thrilled to bits = very excited and happy, however, people have forgotten what or where 'the bits' means.
possibly it refers to the feeling of being so elated that you feel you are in bits. = an old term that people are not sure where it came from.