Meaning: a bust; a disappointment, particularly after much anticipation. Example usage: “After all that planning, Carly's birthday party was a total damp squib.” A pug, possibly disheartened by a Damp Squib Event. Image: Flickr Creative Commons.

Where did the term damp squib originate?

Origin of “Damp Squib”

The phrase “damp squib” seems to have originated from squibs, an explosive device that becomes damp, and does not work. It could be that the phrase was derived from squibs, the firework. However, its first use appeared in the newspaper published in London in March 1837, The Morning Post.

Is the saying damp squib or damp squid?

The first thing to say about the expression 'damp squib' is that is is 'squib', not 'squid'. Squid are a species of cephalopod. In their natural environment squid are usually damp but that's as near to this phrase as they are likely to get.