The phrase "followed nose" refers to the act of using one's sense of smell as a guide. Despite its simple meaning, the spelling of the word "followed" can be tricky due to the pronunciation of the letter "o." In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is spelled as /ˈfɒləʊd/ where the symbol "ɒ" represents the short "o" sound in British English. Therefore, when spelling "followed," it is important to note the difference between the short "o" and long "o" sounds.
The phrase "followed nose" is an idiomatic expression often used to describe an instinctive or impulsive act of going in a specific direction or making decisions based solely on one's intuition or sense of smell, without much thought or rationalization. This phrase is metaphorical, suggesting that a person is being guided by their nose rather than logic or reason.
Literally, the word "followed" implies the action of pursuing or tracking someone or something, while "nose" refers to the sense of smell. Metaphorically, this phrase captures the idea of acting on immediate hunches or gut feelings without considering other factors. It suggests a reliance on one's intuition, instincts, or sixth sense, rather than following a structured or deliberate thought process.
The image of "following one's nose" conjures up the sense of a person willingly surrendering control or abandoning reason for the sake of spontaneity. It implies a willingness to trust one's inner guidance and venture into unknown realms or experiences. It can also refer to a person's ability to perceive and seek opportunities, navigate challenges, or make decisions without relying heavily on objective evidence or analysis.
Overall, the expression "followed nose" encapsulates the idea of acting on a feeling or impulse, guided purely by intuition and personal inclinations, rather than relying on logical deduction or external influences.
The phrase "followed nose" does not have a specific etymology, as it is a combination of two common words: "followed" and "nose".
The word "followed" comes from the Old English word "folgian", which means to pursue or go after, often by tracking or trailing someone or something. This word can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic root "fulg-" meaning to go after or to track.
The word "nose" comes from the Old English word "næs", which refers to the organ of smell on the face of humans and animals. This word can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic root "nas-" meaning nose.
When combined, the phrase "followed nose" simply implies following one's sense of smell or using it as a guide to find something or navigate a path.