Slipperiest: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Old English 'slipe', which means to glide or slide.
• Historically, the base form 'slippery' has been used since the 14th century to describe surfaces that can be difficult to walk on.
• In different languages, translations often mirror the concept of something being hard to hold due to smoothness, like 'glissant' in French.

Science

• Materials like ice or oil demonstrate properties that can make them extremely slippery, often due to liquid layers on surfaces reducing friction.
• Biology shows that some animals have evolved special skin textures to prevent slipping while climbing, creating a fascinating parallel to the term.
• In physics, the concept of 'friction coefficient' explains the slipperiness of surfaces—some have very low coefficients, meaning they are easier to slide on.

Culture

• In various cultures, slippery situations are often metaphors for tricky or deceitful behavior, such as calling someone 'slippery' when they can’t be trusted.
• The term appears frequently in idioms round the world, illustrating ideas of uncertainty or danger, such as 'on slippery ground' meaning being in a precarious situation.
• In sports like ice skating and hockey, slippery ice is essential for fun and competition, showcasing how sports can embrace whilst contending with slipperiness.

Literature

• Famous authors like J.K. Rowling have used slippery themes in their work, relating to characters in dangerous or unpredictable situations.
• In poetry, the concept of slipperiness often symbolizes change, transition, or uncertainty, making it a powerful image in lyrical work.
• Throughout children's literature, stories involving 'slippery slopes' or runaway items often convey moral lessons about caution and responsibility.

Psychology

• People often describe certain relationships or situations as 'slippery' when they feel unpredictable or hard to grasp emotionally.
• The concept of slippery slope arguments in reasoning highlights how minor choices can lead to more significant, unexpected consequences.
• In cognitive psychology, slippery concepts illustrate how difficult it can be to keep hold of certain thoughts or memories.

With rank #42,679, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.

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• 42676 crunchier
• 42677 cognoscente
• 42678 unresistant
• 42679 slipperiest
• 42680 scantest
• 42681 haggardly
• 42682 clownishly
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