NEW FEATURE
Double-click
any English word
for its translation !
|
|
Your choice was right!
Definition:
a) blowing the nose with no tissue
German translation:
air hanky = die Nase ohne Taschentuch schneuzen
---
GOOGLE INDEX
air hanky: less than 1,000 Google hits
Sample text:
If you become congested while jogging, just clear your nose with an AIR HANKY.
(Internet runner's forum)
---
If you have to blow more than one time into the AIR HANKY on a 9-mile bicycle ride, it's too much.
(cycling blog on the Internet)
Did you know?
air hanky (or air hankie)
slang
- blowing one's nose without using a tissue or handkerchief
---
WORD ORIGIN
The air hanky, slang for the act of blowing one's nose without using anything, is popular among outdoor sports enthusiasts. Some people find it repulsive. But what else can marathon runners or footballers to do when they need to clear out nose congestion? Stop and ask a spectator for a tissue?
The web site of a runners' club says this about the air hanky:
"Delicately placing a finger against one nostril and blowing out the other is a technique for clearing occasional congestion. With the head tilted at the proper angle, no tissue is required. It is rather rude and is discouraged if other runners are likely to be inconvenienced."
Air hankies are more common in some other countries than others. In fact, the Japanese believe that using a tissue or hanky (short for handkerchief) and putting it back in the pocket or a purse shows a complete disregard for hygiene. Seems logical doesn't it?
Note: The brand name Kleenex is commonly used as a general term for tissue.
---
SYNONYMS
orchard blow, cowboy hanky, farmer's blow, shotgun booger, dustman's flick, snot rocket
---
SMUGGLE OWAD INTO TODAY'S CONVERSATION:
"Many people are quite disgusted at seeing an air hankie display in public."
Thanks to Volker for suggesting today's word!
|
And now...
Today's Learning Tip (11):
LEARN OPPOSITES
Many words have natural opposites (antonyms) - rich/poor, heaven/hell, boom/bust,... by also checking opposites you are completing your understanding of the concept and filling-in gaps in your personal wordpool.
more learning tips
Building your English day by day...
Let others enjoy One-Word-A-Day too!
OWAD is a free English training programme run by enthusiastic people who
support open communication and personal growth. Please do spread the word
and recommend us to a colleague or friend:
Recommend it now!
Thanks!
Paul Smith
|
|
