"Fanning out" is spelled as /ˈfænɪŋ aʊt/. The first syllable is the stressed syllable, pronounced as "FAN-ing." The vowel sound in this syllable is the short ‘a’ /æ/. The second syllable, "out," is pronounced with the diphthong sound /aʊ/. Together, "fanning out" means spreading or expanding in a fan-like shape from a central point. This phrase can be used to describe a variety of things, such as the spreading of a deck of cards or the dispersion of a crowd.
The phrase "fanning out" refers to spreading or expanding in a manner similar to a fan. It is commonly used to describe the action of objects or people moving apart from a central point, resembling the shape of a fan when fully extended.
In a literal sense, fanning out can be observed when a hand-held fan is opened and its pleats unfold to create a wider surface area. The process of expanding the fan from a folded state to a fully open position represents the concept of fanning out. Similarly, when a group of people or objects disperses from a central location in a fan-like pattern, it is said to be fanning out.
Metaphorically, fanning out can also be used to describe the dissemination or distribution of information or resources in various directions or to a diverse range of recipients. If a message, for instance, spreads rapidly and widely to a large number of individuals, it can be said to be fanning out. This can apply to a variety of situations, such as the diffusion of news, the dispersion of troops in a military operation, or the allocation of resources across different areas.
Overall, "fanning out" connotes the expansion, spreading, or dispersal of objects or individuals from a central point, either in a physical or metaphorical sense.
The phrase "fanning out" is derived from the verb "fan", which has its origins in Middle English (1300-1500) and Old English (before 900 AD). "Fan" originally referred to the action of waving something, like a fan, in order to create a breeze or cool oneself. It comes from the Latin word "vannus", which means "winnowing fan" or "threshing fan". The verb "fan" eventually extended its meaning to describe the action of spreading or opening something, resembling the motion of a fan. Hence, "fanning out" refers to the act of spreading or expanding in a similar manner to how a fan opens or unfolds.