meaning

Anonymous What is the difference between belly and tummy?

"tummy" is mostly a children's word. Both are fairly low-register terms for "stomach".

CJ

Yet, there are times when belly and tummy fit better:
My wife is getting a 'tummy-tuck' (cosmetic surgery to reduce the stomach's bulge).
She is always 'belly-aching' about her job (complaining).
In hiding one's amusement, one might give a 'belly laugh' (one that moves the body without a smile reaching one's face).

I've always thought a belly laugh was just a hearty , deep laugh

Depending on the context or expression one might better fit than the other. for instance, you can only use belly if you are referring to someone's "beer belly"

CliveI sometimes hear 'a beer-gut'.

Oh, yeah, it is common in Wyoming as well.

Oh, yeah, it is common in Wyoming as well.

The expression or the affliction, or both?

Both mean the same thing, slang for stomach, but the usage is different. Tummy tends to be used in light situations, while belly is usually used in more serious situations. Note there are instances - often idiomatic - where by tradition one is used to the exclusion of the other. Examples:

He gave me a good belly laugh. (This is idiomatic, tummy cannot be used here.)

Child: M

CliveOh, yeah, it is common in Wyoming as well.The expression or the affliction, or both?

haha, the expression is very common. Despite the heavy beer drinking habit of Wyomingite, you don't see many people with beer belly.