Yawner Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ด
yawner
[หjษห.nษr ]
Definition
person, thing
A yawner refers to a person who yawns, often indicating boredom or tiredness. It can also denote a thing or situation that induces yawning, often perceived as dull or uninteresting.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He turned into a yawner during the long lecture.
- The movie was such a yawner that many people left the theater.
- She was labeled a yawner for her repetitive stories.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Yawning can be contagious; seeing someone yawn can trigger the urge to yawn in others, demonstrating social bonding.
- Research suggests that yawning might help cool the brain, increasing alertness when feeling drowsy.
Culture
- In pop culture, a 'yawner' often serves as comic relief to emphasize boredom in movies or TV shows.
- The phrase 'that was a real yawner' is commonly used to describe dull situations or uninteresting stories.
Health
- Frequent yawning can indicate a lack of sleep or a need for more oxygen in the brain.
- Experts believe that apart from being a sign of tiredness, it can also prepare the body for activity by increasing alertness.
Literature
- Famous authors often use yawns as expressions of charactersโ boredom, creating a relatable moment for readers.
- Prose that includes yawning signals the pacing of a narrative, indicating a lull in excitement.
Origin of 'yawner'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'yawn' originates from the Old English 'geonian', meaning to open the mouth wide.
- It has been in use since the early 17th century to describe the action of inhaling deeply, often linked with tiredness.
The term 'yawner' is derived from the verb 'yawn', which has its roots in Middle English 'yanen', and connects to its Old English counterpart 'gฤn', meaning to open the mouth wide while taking in breath through the nose or mouth, typically as a reflex response to tiredness or boredom. Over time, the act of yawning became associated with states of fatigue and lack of engagement. The addition of the suffix '-er' forms 'yawner', characterizing a person or thing involved in or causing yawning. The development of the term reflects the universal human experience of fatigue, and its use in informal contexts has grown to imply a certain dullness pertaining to people or situations that are not stimulating. 'Yawner' can also convey a sense of humor or irony, especially when referring to something expected to be exciting but turns out to be quite the opposite.
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #43,049, 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.