The Worm Always Turns

The Worm Always Turns

How many of you have heard this?

"The Worm Always Turns"
"The Worm Is Turning"
"The Worm Will Turn"

Nothing to do with an actual worm turning over in the dirt.....

Or is it?

Where did this saying come from?
What does it mean?

I might have the answers for you.

Back in 1984 a movie was released called Dune. I am sure many of you are familiar with it.

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For those who are familiar with the movie, you can skip this part while I educate the kiddies.

Dune was a desert planet where there was no rainfall. None. It was also the only known planet in the universe that had "Spice".
Spice was used to do many things to enhance life. It could prolong life, alter perceptions, and given enough, it could be used to control space and time.
You can understand its importance and the wealth it generated.
The Emperor had the contract on spice production and he would give it to whatever house (Planet) that would do his bidding.
Dune, also know as Arrakis, was inhabited by a group of nomadic people known as the Fremen. They had learned to live in the driest harshest climate in the universe. The whites of their eyes had turned blue from their continuing contact with the spice.
During their centuries on this planet they learned how to ride the worms, who were also known by; Great Maker, The Maker, Old Father Eternity and Shai-hulud.
Okay enough background.

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Fremen Sand Rider

The Worm, The Thumper & The Maker Hook

Worms can grow to enormous sizes. In the deep desert they can reach lengths of over 1,000 feet. Although not much is known about worms, it is known they will protect a spice field. This is what makes spice mining a very hazardous occupation.
A worm is always lured to any rhythmic sound. The Fremen do this by using a device called a thumper. It sends out a rhythmic sound wave through the sand. When a worm comes to the thumper the Lead Worm Rider runs beside it and uses the maker hook.
The maker hook is an instrument to put between one of the rings of the worm and pry it apart. To avoid the discomfort of getting sand into this wound, the worm will turn over taking the rider with it. Once on the top the rider lowers ropes. Many Fremen can ride a worm.
Worms can travel this way for several hundred mile until the worm is exhausted and will just lay still.
Once they have gotten to wherever they are going the Fremen release the worm by taking the hook out.

The Worm Always Turns - What does it mean?

The short answer is, "Pretty much whatever you want", depending on where you use it.
For example; The climate is changing - in response - The worm always turns. Agreement.
Also; The world really sucks! - in response - The worm is turning. Optimism.
Or; Wow! My life is just great - response - The worm will turn. Pessimism.
Perhaps; Washington is so corrupt! - response - Let's hope the worm turns. Humor???

Basically it means nothing stays they same. Everything is changing around us so fast it is hard to keep up.

But it can also mean things have a tendency to happen slowly, sometime imperceptibly slow. We don't notice the change until BAM! it jumps right out an bites our brain. The worm has turned inside our heads! - Understanding.

Where did it come from?

I heard the phrase was first "coined" in 1988 in a central farming community in Alberta, Canada. Within 2 years I traced it to Hollywood where it was used in a obscure movie I can't remember the name of.
Since then it has come up in many different venues and I am hearing it more and more often.

So there you have it.
If you have heard different stories about the origin I would be happy to hear them. Leave me a comment.