The story
From the expression ruffle someone's feathers.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
smooth someone's feathers
Today it means: To soothe (someone) who has had their feathers ruffled; to pacify (someone) who is upset. Full definition →
Today it means: To soothe (someone) who has had their feathers ruffled; to pacify (someone) who is upset. Full definition →
From the expression ruffle someone's feathers.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.