The expression “the worm turns”, commonly used (at least by me) to mean “the situation has changed and the previously disadvantaged party now holds the advantage”, is apparently an evolution of the old proverb, “Tread on a worm and it will turn.” The proverb was likely intended to say “even the lowliest creature will strike back when threatened/attacked/mistreated”.
This is the meaning Slick Willie latched on to when he references this in Henry VI, Part 3:
To whom do lions cast their gentle looks?
Not to the beast that would usurp their den.
The smallest worm will turn being trodden on,
And doves will peck in safeguard of their brood.
I had no idea of this history.
For some reason, which I can come up with no sensible explanation for, I always thought the expression had something to do with The Worm Ouroboros–something about the eternally continuing cycle and how eventually the bottom comes up to the top again. A kind of “this too shall pass” vibe mixed in there. I may continue to believe this, in spite of evidence, since it seems more satisfying to me.
