brown nose etymology

Etymology:

The phrase "brown nose" is derived from the practice of polishing shoes with brown shoe polish.

Meaning:

To "brown nose" means to flatter or ingratiate oneself to someone in a servile or obsequious manner, typically with the aim of gaining favor or advancement.

Origin:

The exact origin of the phrase is uncertain, but it is believed to have emerged in the early 1900s. One possible explanation is that it refers to the practice of bootblacks (shoe polishers) who would often use brown polish to shine shoes. Bootblacks were often subservient to their customers, and the association of brown shoe polish with servility may have led to the phrase "brown nose."

Another theory suggests that the phrase originated from the idea of a dog wagging its tail and licking the face of its owner in a subservient manner. Dogs' noses are often brown, hence the connection to the phrase.

Regardless of its exact origin, the phrase "brown nose" has become a common idiom to describe servile or obsequious behavior.

brown nose relate terms

• brown

  Etymology The word brown originates from the Old English word brun which meant dark

• burnish

  Etymology Old French burnir to polish brighten Latin burnia burnished armor Pr

• nose

  Etymology The word nose is derived from the Old English word nosu which is thought t

• brownie

  Etymology of Brownie The word brownie has two possible etymologies Scottish Gaeli

• brown

  Etymology The word brown originates from the Old English word brun which meant dark

• brown nose

  Etymology The phrase brown nose is derived from the practice of polishing shoes with b

• nostril

  Etymology The word nostril is derived from the Middle English word nosethirl which i

• snuff

  Etymology The word snuff is derived from the Middle English word snoff which in tur

• mucus

  Etymology Latin mucus Ancient Greek myxa μύξα Meaning Mucus is a thick vis

• brunette

  Etymology The word brunette derives from the Old French word brunet which in turn c

• frown

  Etymology The word frown originates from the Old English word frunian meaning to w

• seal

  Etymology of Seal The word seal derives from the Old English word seolh which orig

• coryza

  Etymology Greek κορύζα koruza running at the nose catarrh Meaning and Ori

• flatter

  Etymology The word flatter comes from the Old French word flater which itself derive

• blandish

  Etymology Middle English blandisen from Old French blandir from Late Latin blandī

• butter

  Etymology The word butter comes from the Latin butyrum which is derived from the Gre