What Are Goose Pimples?
“Goose pimples” are little bumps that sometimes appear on your skin when you are frightened or cold. Goose pimples are caused by tiny muscles at the hair roots in the skin.
A physical or emotional feeling triggers an automatic surge of a hormone called adrenaline, which is often released when people feel chilly, afraid, or stressed-out in some way.
When you are suddenly frightened or become chilled, these little muscles tighten up. They form small bumps on your skin and make the hairs stand up straighter than usual.
The bumps disappear when you feel warm again, or no longer frightened. If you have ever seen a plucked goose, you can guess how goose pimples get their name. Real goose flesh is covered with little bumps where the feathers grow.
Goosebumps are also commonly known as gooseflesh, and sometimes called “horripilation,” which is a mix of the Latin words “horrere” (meaning to bristle or stand on end) and “pilus” (meaning hair).