How did the angry symbol originate? We've all seen it many times... When someone gets angry or annoyed, the angry symbol (shown below) shows up one or more times in and around the person's head.




Where did it come from?
How did it get popularized?
Is there a proper term for it?
TVTropes calls it the &quot;Cross-Popping Veins&quot;, and Wikipedia as well as other blogs and sources seem to be comfortable backing up that term. Other terms include &quot;Bulging Vein&quot; or &quot;# Mark&quot;.
As their name suggests, they were inspired by a physiological effect many people have; when they become excessively angry or tense, their blood pressure rises and muscle tension builds, forcing veins to the surface.

Angry characters may exhibit a &quot;vein&quot; or &quot;stress mark&quot; effect, where lines representing bulging veins will appear on their forehead. (Wikipedia)
In real life, bulging veins are usually a sign of physiological changes, such as aging or diseases. Strong emotion pumps blood faster, thus making it more protrudent. (TVTropes)

Obviously, the cross- or Y-shaped markings are oversimplified and cartoon-like versions of these veins, but are still representative of this reaction.
The first use of this icon does not seem to be recorded, nor why it seems to have become popular enough as a symbol of anime that even anime knockoffs will use it. The tropes article I mentioned has a documented list of where it's appeared over the years; however, it does remain possible that even the most dated entry in that list is not the original usage of the icon.