I caught a cold

I think it should be the cold caught me. I am certainly not wanting to be out there catching one on my own.

You're right. No one ever said American English made sense.

Good observation! I generally say that I "have" the flu, like it's a possession. Seems the flu usually "has" me!

I think that I like hearing it as a cold caught me better than I like the term I caught a cold. I never really took the time to think about it before, but now that you mention it. . . To say that I caught a cold seems to imply that it was something that you were looking for and something that you were successful in catching. However, saying it the other way implies that it was looking for you to catch you.

I do think that there are many phrases that have long since been accepted as part of the way we thought. And I doubt many people would think about them for more than two seconds, because once something that has been ingrained into a language, it is rather difficult to remove it. However, that just something that really does not make much sense. Then again the English language can be a funny language. If you sit down and look at it long enough, you'll find a few phrases that just don't make all that much sense. You just go with it, you just roll with all of the punches that you can. The cold very much ensnares you, as you don't go out seeking a cold. Well most people don't, I cannot speak for everyone.

Ya it is a tricky thing that what this phrase should be but you were right in saying it but we normally use this phrase that I have caught a cold.

Well, personally I guess it would be how you decided to look at things. I know many times it is just because I have been around someone else who has a Cold is the reason I have caught one, and then there are times it might have been since I was walking around barefoot outside, or got rained on, etc. But many times it could just be a low immune system getting you sick as well.

I have actually said that I have been caught by a cold. It does make more sense.

its such a funny way to put it. i wonder where it first came from, the saying 'i caught a cold'. i think the cold caught you. hope you feel better soonest!

I don't know why that is. It does not sound right, but on the other hand we are used to hearing it. Maybe just say I came down with a cold or the flu. I think that the way you explained it is quite funny. I could picture a cartoon of a person hunting a cold and catches it. LOL.

Hello savypat, the statement you have written on discussion topic is the correct one. Most people pronounce the term wrongly as "cold caught me" but yours is the right one. We are the only person who responsible for occurence of cold.

As the previous poster mentioned, it almost sounds better saying, "I came down with a cold," rather than, "I caught a cold". Of course, when I get a cold, not only does it get me, it overpowers me, overtakes me, and knocks me flat on the ground. It won't let me get a clear breath in - just knocks it in and out through a stuffy nose. A most unfair fighter, cold is.

Someone gave you a cold. I am sorry to hear that. I hope you feel better soon. Have a great weekend!

There are many definitions of "catch" in the dictionary, one is " contact an illness or "become infected with". I think catch here has that meaning. Another thing, virus causes cold. I think it's more sensible to ask your physician, " Doc, where did I possibly catch that virus? " rather than " Doc where did that virus possibly catch me?".

Well I guess it does sound a little weird but does make sense. You can catch a cold by being outside in wether would cause one to have a chill. Some of the things we say in the english language are just silly!

Interesting if you think about it.. I think the cold catched you esp. if you are not healthy enough.. The dutch saying is different.. no catching (no hunting) but more like "getting"