What is hock a loogie?

Both “hock a loogie” and “hawk a loogie” are acceptable for describing forcefully spitting out a mass of saliva and phlegm from the throat.

What is the origin of the word loogie?

Etymology. Origin unknown; possibly from Luger, Lou, Lue or Louie; possibly from the name of the baseball player Lou Gehrig (from the habit of baseball players of spitting); possible variant of booger.

Why do men hock a loogie?

“It’s purely cultural: Some guys spit because they grew up thinking it’s cool and didn’t get chastised the way girls might for spitting,” says Maples. “Others develop the habit from spitting out chewing tobacco.” Um, eww.

How do you get a loogie out?

Taking the following actions can help to eliminate excess mucus and phlegm:

1. Keeping the air moist.
2. Drinking plenty of fluids.
3. Applying a warm, wet washcloth to the face.
4. Keeping the head elevated.
5. Not suppressing a cough.
6. Discreetly getting rid of phlegm.
7. Using a saline nasal spray or rinse.
8. Gargling with salt water.

What does Hocking mean in slang?

US, informal. : to forcefully spit out (something, such as phlegm) hock a loogie hock a wad of tobacco. Other Words from hock Synonyms Example Sentences Phrases Containing hock Learn More About hock.

Why do people spit while peeing?

Spitting when you pee is a conditioned reflex. You started doing it when you were little, either by watching Dad or because of your little-kid fascination with body parts and functions, especially things that come out of your body that you can control.

Why do male athletes spit so much?

Several studies have shown that exercise increases the amount of protein secreted into the saliva, especially a kind of mucus called MUC5B. This mucus makes the saliva thicker, which makes it harder to swallow, so we spit it out.

Is it OK to swallow mucus?

To spit or swallow? I’m occasionally asked whether swallowing mucus produced with a respiratory infection is harmful. It’s not; luckily the stomach works to neutralise bacteria and recycle the other cellular debris. Some people do report a queasy feeling in the stomach during such infections.

What does hawk up mean?

1 : to raise by trying to clear the throat hawk up phlegm. 2 informal : to forcefully spit out (something, such as phlegm) : hock entry 5 hawk a loogie. intransitive verb.

Where does phlegm come from?

Phlegm is a slightly different substance. It’s a form of mucus produced by the lower airways — not by the nose and sinuses — in response to inflammation. You may not notice phlegm unless you cough it up as a symptom of bronchitis or pneumonia.

What does it mean to Hock A Loogie?

slang To cough up and spit out phlegm or saliva. Ew, did you seriously just hock a loogie in public? Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved. tv. to cough up and spit out phlegm. Tom suppressed the urge to hock a luggie over the bridge railing.

What is the origin of the expression “Loogie”?

The expression is a combination of two terms, hock which was first documented in the 15 th century, as “for hauking up of blood ”. The second part of the phrase is loogie which derived from the word lunger, used for people with TB, and – in the 40’s – used for a mouthful of spit.

Where did the term’Hoik A Loogie’originate?

Submitted by Patrick B. from River Ridge, LA, USA on Nov 26 1999 . Another variation heard in the Bronx, NY 50 years ago is: “hoik a loogie” Defined as drawing up a wad of phlegm and spitting. Last edited on Nov 07 2014.

Who suppressed the urge to hock a Luggie over the bridge railing?

Tom suppressed the urge to hock a luggie over the bridge railing. McGraw-Hill’s Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.