cough etymology

Etymology

The word "cough" comes from Middle English "cogh," which is in turn derived from Old English "coughen." It is related to the onomatopoeic words in other Germanic languages, such as German "husten" and Dutch "hoesten."

Meaning

A cough is a sudden, involuntary expulsion of air from the lungs through the mouth and nose, often accompanied by a characteristic sound. It is typically caused by irritation or inflammation of the respiratory system.

Origin

Coughs are natural reflex actions that help clear the airways of foreign particles, mucus, or other irritants. The cough reflex is triggered by stimulation of receptors in the back of the throat and airways, which send signals to the brain. The brain then sends signals to the muscles in the chest and abdomen to forcefully expel air from the lungs.

Coughs can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). Acute coughs are usually caused by colds, flu, or other upper respiratory infections. Chronic coughs may be caused by asthma, allergies, bronchitis, or other medical conditions.

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