Learn English – the origin of “breaking one’s balls”

american-englishoffensive-languageslang

While watching Goodfellas for the first time ever, I have stumbled upon the expression:

"… and I am breaking your balls…"

(for context: Clip from Goodfellas)

Since I am Italian by birth, I was wondering whether the above expression might have something to do with the quite common:

"Non rompermi i coglioni."

which literally means "Don't break my balls." but is used when somebody is mad at someone else to signal him to stop doing whatever he is doing that annoys him.

Does anybody know something about any connection between the two expressions?

Best Answer

According to The New Patridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English to bust someone's balls "to tease someone relentlessly, provoking their anger" is an AmE expression from 1955 •

The following source states that the expressions break/bust somebody's balls derive from the practice of cattle castration. It is not clear if there is a connection with the similar Italian expression but it appears that it was made popular by the 1990's movies Goodfellas. See also Ngram:

  • Whether it’s busting or breaking, balls or stones, this expression has long been used by young men (and not a few women) to express a wide range of emotions brought about by the words or actions of another.

  • Although the phrase usually accompanies laughter, it arose out of a truly painful, yet common practice among beef cattle operators where they bust the bull’s balls as a method of castration.

Popular Usage

  • For those not familiar with the phrase, there are a couple of different common meanings to “bust your balls.” Both of the following examples come from the 1990’s movie, Goodfellas.

Teasing:

The first, and far more common, is when someone is being teased or kidded:

  • Tommy: Just don’t go busting my balls, Billy, okay?

  • Billy: Hey, Tommy, if I was gonna break your balls, I’d tell you to go home and get your shine box.

Abusive:

The second, and by far the more nefarious, is when someone is overworking, overwhelming or trying to ruin another:

  • Jimmy: Give me the fuckin money, You hear me? You hear me, I gotta come here and you bust my balls? Give me the fuckin money.

From: (www.todayifoundout.com)

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