e've often heard the popular expression 'yellow-bellied'. In fact, the term represents an individual that is ignobly lacking in courage. There are quite a range of synonyms. Cowardly, chickenhearted, craven, dastardly, faint-hearted, pusillanimous or unmanly, to name a few. But yellow-bellied originated from the term 'lily-livered' and made reference to the state of an unhealthy liver. Instead of being blood-engorged and red in colour, the liver of a fat, unmotivated animal, is often a paler colour.He is a dog--and the pup of a dog--red, yellow-bellied, lairless,
and haired between every toe ~ Rudyard Kipling
Nonetheless, my trip out west in early fall of 2007 would demonstrate whether yellow-bellied was an apt term for someone for whom I had afforded the utmost of respect.
It was time to confront Doug to see why he had played me.
