Dander is a term that refers to tiny flakes of skin or hair that are shed by animals, particularly cats and dogs. The word is spelled with the vowels 'a' and 'e', both pronounced with the short /æ/ sound. The 'd' is voiced and pronounced as a dental fricative, while the 'r' is an alveolar approximant. The transcription of 'dander' in IPA is /ˈdændər/ . It is important to spell the word correctly when discussing pet allergies, as dander is a common trigger for many people.
Dander refers to small scales of dry skin that are shed by animals or humans, particularly from the scalp. These tiny particles can become airborne and are often responsible for causing allergies in susceptible individuals.
In animals, especially cats and dogs, dander is a common allergen that triggers hypersensitivity reactions in some people. The proteins present in this flaky skin are known to cause allergic symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, itching, watery eyes, and even difficulty in breathing, particularly in individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or allergic rhinitis.
The term "dander" can also be used to describe anger, irritation, or a state of agitation. In this context, it refers to a person's emotions getting stirred up and potentially becoming volatile or unpleasant. It may be used as a noun, often in phrases like "getting in a dander" or "getting someone's dander up," indicating a heightened sense of anger or frustration.
Additionally, "to raise someone's dander" means to provoke or irritate them intentionally, resulting in an angry reaction. This idiomatic expression signifies the act of upsetting someone or instigating a strong negative response.
Overall, dander refers to both the minute particles of dry skin shed by animals and humans, which can cause allergies, as well as an emotional state of anger or irritation.
To walk without thinking whither; to saunter.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "dander" is believed to have originated in Scotland and is thought to be a derivative of the Scottish Gaelic word "danndair", which means "anger" or "temper". It later evolved to refer to the scales or fine particles that fall from an animal's skin, typically causing allergic reactions in humans. The term "get one's dander up" emerged in the late 19th century, meaning to become angry or irritated, possibly alluding to the connection between anger and the irritation caused by dander.