Suck one's teeth
Isabelle Cecchini
dictionary does not give a translation nor does it provide an explanation.
I have been trying to do it and, as I do not wear dentures, the only
movements that seemed feasible were:
1) to curl my tongue over my teeth so that it reached the gums at the
front.
2) to keep the tip of the tongue just at the alveolar ridge and produce
some sort of hissing sound or "tsk" sound.
I also would like to know whether that gesture has a cultural meaning. Is
it a sign of disapproval, hesitation or anything else?
Thank you for your help.
Isabelle Cecchini
Huw & Anne Griffith
Isabelle Cecchini <Isabelle...@wanadoo.fr> wrote in message
news:8nodoq$iqo$2...@wanadoo.fr...
I should say "to press one's lower teeth against the upper lip and suck". It
suggests doubt and disapproval.
Huw
Carmen L. Abruzzi
----------
In article <8nodoq$iqo$2...@wanadoo.fr>, "Isabelle Cecchini"
<Isabelle...@wanadoo.fr> wrote:
>What does that phrase: "suck one's teeth" mean? My English-French
>dictionary does not give a translation nor does it provide an
>explanation.
>
>I have been trying to do it and, as I do not wear dentures, the only
>movements that seemed feasible were:
>1) to curl my tongue over my teeth so that it reached the gums at the
>front.
>2) to keep the tip of the tongue just at the alveolar ridge and produce
>some sort of hissing sound or "tsk" sound.
I would guess that it means pressing one's upper teeth against
the lower lips and sucking in air through the, uh, labiodental
interface.
>I also would like to know whether that gesture has a cultural meaning.
>Is
>it a sign of disapproval, hesitation or anything else?
>
Nothing really specific. To me "thoughtful hesitation" comes to
mind, but depending on context, it could mean anything from
"that's too bad" to "yes, I see, it all makes sense now".
peter
"Carmen L. Abruzzi" <n...@mit.edu> wrote in message
news:8nq5vn$bsp$1...@mark.ucdavis.edu...
PP It has long been a tradition in the British Navy for the sailors to
express
their suspicion as to the wisdom of an order or their plain dislike by
'sucking their teeth' which expresses their views without being plain
insubordinate.
Similar action in other British armed forces was once an offence known as
'dumb insolence' though the term ceased to be in use many years ago.
Peter P
Isabelle Cecchini
Your explanations have made it much more vivid for me. I have been
experimenting with sucking my teeth and I understand it should not be
attempted in front of a superior!
I guess a French sailor attempting "dumb insolence" might very slightly
shrug his shoulders. That would not be well received either!
Once again, thanks.
Isabelle Cecchini
m.midorikawa
Isabelle Cecchini wrote:
> What does that phrase: "suck one's teeth" mean? My English-French
> dictionary does not give a translation nor does it provide an explanation.
>
>
>
I know the phrase "suck at one's teeth," meaning "breathe in through the
teeth."
It suggests you think twice about the other's opinion.
"... Come on, that isn't asking much. I'm not asking for gold bricks."
Savas sucked at his teeth for a minute and as soon as he scowled, I knew I'd
won.
--H. Engel, Murder on Location
But even as he assured me, he bowed, scraped, and sucked in air through his
teeth.
--J.C. Moloney, Understanding the Japanese Mind
Masaki Midorikawa
Japan
Isabelle Cecchini
"m.midorikawa" <mas...@kun.ne.jp> a écrit dans le message news:
8ns0r4$bat$1...@nwms1.odn.ne.jp...
> I know the phrase "suck at one's teeth," meaning "breathe in through the
> teeth."
> It suggests you think twice about the other's opinion.
>
> "... Come on, that isn't asking much. I'm not asking for gold bricks."
> Savas sucked at his teeth for a minute and as soon as he scowled, I knew
I'd
> won.
> --H. Engel, Murder on Location
>
> But even as he assured me, he bowed, scraped, and sucked in air through
his
> teeth.
> --J.C. Moloney, Understanding the Japanese Mind
>
>
> Masaki Midorikawa
> Japan
>
Was the definition one which can be found in a dictionary? If it is, I
would be very grateful if you could tell me which dictionary it is. Thanks
again!
Isabelle Cecchini
John O'Flaherty
> ----------
> In article <8nodoq$iqo$2...@wanadoo.fr>, "Isabelle Cecchini"
> <Isabelle...@wanadoo.fr> wrote:
>
> >What does that phrase: "suck one's teeth" mean? My English-French
> >dictionary does not give a translation nor does it provide an
> >explanation.
> >
> >I have been trying to do it and, as I do not wear dentures, the only
> >movements that seemed feasible were:
> >1) to curl my tongue over my teeth so that it reached the gums at the
> >front.
> >2) to keep the tip of the tongue just at the alveolar ridge and produce
> >some sort of hissing sound or "tsk" sound.
>
> I would guess that it means pressing one's upper teeth against
> the lower lips and sucking in air through the, uh, labiodental
> interface.
When I try it, it seems to go through the interdental interstices. Maybe
because I'm long in tooth.
john
m.midorikawa
Isabelle Cecchini wrote:
>
>
> Was the definition one which can be found in a dictionary? If it is, I
> would be very grateful if you could tell me which dictionary it is.
>
It is not a dictionary definition.
I've found it in a book written in Japanese and translated it.
The New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary has the word "suck-teeth."
suck-teeth W. Indies an act of sucking the teeth audibly to indicate
annoyance, scorn, etc.
m.midorikawa
GrapeApe
chicken unstuck. I would consider the phrase equivalent to saying "Tsk Tsk" or
the gasp like reflex of suddenly drawing in air over clenched teeth as one
might flinch.
Isabelle Cecchini
the NSOED soon.
Isabelle Cecchini
pyrr...@ix.netcom.com
<Isabelle...@wanadoo.fr> wrote:
>What does that phrase: "suck one's teeth" mean? My English-French
>dictionary does not give a translation nor does it provide an explanation.
>
>I have been trying to do it and, as I do not wear dentures, the only
>movements that seemed feasible were:
>1) to curl my tongue over my teeth so that it reached the gums at the
>front.
>2) to keep the tip of the tongue just at the alveolar ridge and produce
>some sort of hissing sound or "tsk" sound.
>
>I also would like to know whether that gesture has a cultural meaning. Is
>it a sign of disapproval, hesitation or anything else?
>
>Thank you for your help.
>
>Isabelle Cecchini
>
>
I have always thought this term refered to the sound on makes when one
is posed a question and one wants to ponder it for a moment. It is
often combined with a sort of quizical look on one's face, and
provides a sort of something-to-do-while-you're-thinking function.
Some other replies to this post suggest that it is an expression of
defiance or the like. Since several people came up with that
definition, and none came up with anything that sounds like mine, I'll
conclude that I'm wrong.
Stephen Toogood
writes
INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR ISABELLE
1. Breathe out.
2. Clench your teeth.
3. Make a small hole between your lips by tensing the muscles in the
lower lip.
4. Breathe in, and note the sound.
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
1. Denoting a near miss (either almost successful, or almost disastrous)
2. 'This is difficult'.
3. 'What you just suggested is unlikely to work'
4. Tooth sucking is often used by UK tradesmen to prepare you for their
intention to charge you lots of money. The phrase <this'll cost you,
darling> is particularly prevalent among London garage mechanics, and
also among builders when shown something like a hole in the wall.
This usage has become something of a cliché.
--
Stephen Toogood