The phrase "frog in throat" refers to the feeling of having a lump or obstruction in your throat that makes it difficult to speak clearly. The spelling of the word "frog" is /frɒɡ/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with the "o" sound pronounced like "ah" as in "father". This is followed by the "r" sound, and then the "g" sound with a hard "g" as in "go". Despite the unusual metaphorical use of the word in this phrase, the spelling of "frog" remains the same as its usual meaning.
The expression "frog in the throat" is a commonly used idiom referring to the sensation or feeling of having an obstruction or lump in the throat, which causes difficulty in speaking or producing clear sounds. It is often described as a hoarse or croaky voice quality that results from the inability to properly vocalize.
The origins of this idiom can be traced to the actual sound a person makes when their voice is affected by the obstruction in the throat, resembling the croaking sound made by frogs. It is believed that ancient folklore associated frogs with their ability to cause temporary speech impediments.
The sensation of having a "frog in the throat" can be caused by various factors, including respiratory infections, inflammation of the vocal cords, excessive mucus production, anxiety, or simply a dry throat. The feeling can range from mild discomfort to more severe cases where it becomes difficult to speak audibly or clearly.
To alleviate this sensation, various remedies can be employed such as drinking warm liquids to soothe the throat, taking lozenges or cough drops to moisturize and clear the airways, or practicing vocal exercises to relax the vocal cords. In most cases, the feeling of a "frog in the throat" dissipates on its own after a short period of time as the body's natural healing processes take effect.