perspire

to be hot and sticky; sweaty

TRANSLATION

schwitzen, transpirieren

STATISTICS

IN THE PRESS

Dr Johnson, the down-to-earth, but pedantic author of the first real English dictionary was obviously PERSPIRING at a London party.

Hostess: "Sir! I believe you smell."

Johnson: "No Madame, YOU smell,... I stink!"

Did you
know?

per-spire

The word "perspire" is a much nicer sounding alternative to the more common "sweat"

Following Dr Johnson's example above, men can "sweat", but ladies should "perspire".

In the cosmetics industry, deodorants are called "anti-perpirants".

Etymology: French perspirer, from Middle French, from Latin per- through + spirare to blow, breathe

Date: circa 1682

Perspire: to emit matter through the skin; specifically : to secrete and emit perspiration    

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