The phrase “to stick one’s head in the sand” is used to describe the act of avoiding reality usually by pretending that a problem doesn’t exist. The phrase is derived from the belief that ostriches bury their heads in the sand to avoid being seen by predators.
However this belief is not supported by evidence. Ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand. In fact they are capable of running at speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour and they will use their powerful legs to kick predators to defend themselves.
When an ostrich senses danger it will sometimes lie flat on the ground with its neck stretched out. This makes it appear as if its head is buried in the sand when in reality the ostrich is just trying to make itself as small and inconspicuous as possible.
So why do we say that someone who is avoiding reality is “sticking their head in the sand”?
It’s likely that the phrase was first used in the early 1800s in a book called The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe. In the book Crusoe encounters an ostrich for the first time and is astonished by its behavior:
“He would frequently lie down and lay his breast upon the ground and stretch out his neck so that his head and bill might seem to be buried in the sand and so lay still awhile which I at first concluded he did to hide himself.”
Since then the phrase has been used to describe people who refuse to confront problems. For example someone might say “The government is sticking its head in the sand on the issue of climate change.”
The phrase can also be used more generally to describe anyone who is avoiding reality. For example you might say to a friend “I don’t want to stick my head in the sand but I’m just not ready to deal with this right now.”
In some cases sticking one’s head in the sand can be helpful. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by a problem it can be helpful to take a break and focus on something else for awhile. However if you’re constantly avoiding reality it can lead to bigger problems down the road.
How did the ostrich get its name?
The name “ostrich” comes from the Latin word “struthio” meaning “to stride.
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What is the biggest bird in the world?
The ostrich is the biggest bird in the world.
What is the height of an ostrich?
The height of an ostrich is anywhere between 6 and 9 feet.
What is the weight of an ostrich?
The average weight of an ostrich is between 150 and 300 pounds.
Where do ostriches live?
Ostriches live in Africa.
What is the lifespan of an ostrich?
The lifespan of an ostrich is between 30 and 40 years.
What do ostriches eat?
Ostriches are herbivores and their diet consists of plants and fruits.
How many eggs does an ostrich lay?
An ostrich can lay up to three eggs at a time.
How fast can an ostrich run?
Ostriches can run up to 45 miles per hour.
Do ostriches fly?
Ostriches cannot fly but they can run very fast.
What is the predators of an ostrich?
The predators of an ostrich are lions tigers and leopards.
How many toes does an ostrich have?
Ostriches have two toes on each foot.
What is the size of an ostrich’s brain?
The size of an ostrich’s brain is about the size of a walnut.
Can an ostrich swim?
Ostriches cannot swim but they can float.
What is the purpose of an ostrich’s long neck?
The purpose of an ostrich’s long neck is to help them see over tall grasses.
