slack jawed etymology

Etymology

"Slack-jawed" is a compound word with two parts:

• Slack: From Middle English "slak," meaning loose, hanging, or relaxed.
• Jaw: From Old English "ceawe," meaning jaw or cheek.

Meaning

"Slack-jawed" means having a loose or hanging jaw, typically as a result of surprise, disbelief, or stupidity. It is often used to describe a person who is:

• Stunned or bewildered: "She stood there slack-jawed, unable to believe her eyes."
• Dull-witted or foolish: "Don't be so slack-jawed, think before you speak."

Origin

The term "slack-jawed" has been in use since at least the 16th century. It was originally used to describe someone with a physical deformity or injury that caused their jaw to hang loose. Over time, it began to be used more figuratively, especially to describe someone who is intellectually or emotionally weak.

Examples

• "The audience was slack-jawed in amazement at the performer's daring stunt."
• "He had such a slack-jawed expression, I couldn't help but laugh."
• "Don't be so slack-jawed! You should be ashamed for making such a mistake."

slack jawed relate terms

• chew

  Etymology The word chew comes from the Old English word cēowan which means to chew

• jowl

  Etymology The word jowl comes from the Middle English word jole which in turn is der

• slack

  Etymology The word slack has Old English and Middle Low German roots Old English s

• languid

  Etymology Old French languede Latin languidus Proto Indo European lengʰ to be l

• slack jawed

  Etymology Slack jawed is a compound word with two parts Slack From Middle English

• remiss

  Etymology The word remiss comes from the Latin word remissus which means released

• lush

  Etymology The word lush comes from the Middle English word lusche which means soft

• laches

  Etymology Old French from Anglo French from Old English lahhs slow sluggish lazy

• languish

  Etymology The word languish comes from the Old French word languir which in turn is

• flux

  Etymology The word flux is derived from the Latin word fluxus meaning a flowing

• relax

  Etymology The word relax is derived from the Latin word relaxare which means to lo

• hearse

  Etymology The word hearse originates from the Middle English word herse which itsel

• understand

  Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It involves tracing the develop