How Do You Spell HOLLOW LEG?

Pronunciation: [hˈɒlə͡ʊ lˈɛɡ] (IPA)

The phrase "hollow leg" is used to describe someone who appears to have an insatiable appetite or who is able to consume a large amount of food without feeling full. The spelling of this word can be broken down into its individual sounds, represented by the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), as "ˈhɑloʊ lɛɡ." This represents the "h" sound at the beginning, followed by the long "o" sound and the "w" sound, leading to the "l" and "o" sounds in the middle, and ending with the "e" and hard "g" sounds at the end.

HOLLOW LEG Meaning and Definition

1. Hollow leg is a colloquial expression that refers to a person who has an unusually large appetite or capacity for food and drink. The phrase is derived from the concept that instead of having a normal sized leg, the person possesses a leg void of substance, with an empty space ready to be filled.

   The term is often used in a humorous or light-hearted manner to describe individuals who can consume copious amounts of food and beverages without seeming to feel full or satiated. It suggests that their appetite is seemingly insatiable, as if there is a void that can never be filled.

   The phrase may also be used to describe someone who can consume large quantities of alcohol without displaying any outward signs of intoxication. This connotation may stem from the perception that the excessive consumption of alcohol will lead to intoxication, but the person seems to possess a leg that absorbs the alcohol, preventing its effects from being fully realized.

   Overall, the expression "hollow leg" is a metaphorical way of describing someone with a remarkable ability to consume food or drink without apparent limits or consequences. It is often employed to tease or joke about people who have a tendency to eat or drink substantially more than the average person.

Etymology of HOLLOW LEG

The phrase "hollow leg" is a colloquial expression used to describe someone who can eat or drink large quantities without appearing to get full. The etymology of this phrase is not entirely clear, but there are a couple of theories:

1. One theory suggests that the phrase originated from an old English drinking term "to have a bottomless, or bottomless pit". This expression was used to describe someone who seemed to have an insatiable appetite for alcohol. Over time, this term might have evolved into "hollow leg", referring to an appetite that could never be filled.

2. Another theory suggests that the phrase has its roots in German immigrants who settled in the United States in the 19th century. In German, the word "hohlbein" means "hollow bone" or "hollow leg".

Idioms with the word HOLLOW LEG

• have (a) hollow leg(s) To have (a) hollow leg(s) is an idiom that means that someone can eat a large amount of food without seeming to get full. It suggests that the person has an incredibly large appetite or can consume food without feeling stuffed or satiated.
• to have a hollow leg The idiom "to have a hollow leg" is used to describe someone who can eat large amounts of food without seeming to get full or gain weight. It implies that the person has an insatiable appetite or a great capacity for consuming food.