Grossest: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word 'gross' comes from the Latin word 'grossus', meaning thick or large.
• In English, 'gross' originally referred to something that was big or coarse, but it later took on meanings related to unpleasantness.
• The superlative form, 'grossest', adds '-est' to indicate the highest degree of being disgusting.

Pop Culture

• In the 1990s, TV shows like 'The Real World' and 'Jackass' popularized gross-out humor, showcasing extreme situations that some found funny and others found repulsive.
• Movies such as 'Dumb and Dumber' used gross elements in comedy, making viewers react with laughter or disgust.
• The term is often used in the titles of games and shows aimed at children, like 'Gross Science', to attract attention through shock value.

Psychology

• Disgust is a basic human emotion that evolved to protect us from harmful substances and diseases.
• Research shows that what is considered 'gross' can vary significantly between cultures, highlighting subjective tastes.
• The feeling of disgust can often be triggered by sights, smells, or thoughts that evoke a strong aversion.

Literature

• In literature, writers often use gross imagery to evoke strong reactions from characters and readers, helping convey horror or shock.
• Classic horror stories, like those of Edgar Allan Poe, often include gross or disturbing details to create unease.
• Children’s books, like 'The Book of Totally Irresponsible Science', embrace gross science experiments to engage young readers.

Science

• The science of disgust studies how certain tastes and smells trigger our gag reflex, often tied to evolutionary survival.
• Some species use gross characteristics (like bright colors or bad smells) to warn predators, known as aposematism.
• In microbiology, researchers explore how pathogens associated with gross things spread diseases, impacting public health policies.

Positioned at #24,628, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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• 24625 nontoxic
• 24626 unconfined
• 24627 deuce
• 24628 grossest
• 24629 imprinting
• 24630 combated
• 24631 capitulated
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