The phrase "laid thick" is spelled with the letters L-A-I-D T-H-I-C-K. In IPA phonetics, it is represented as /leɪd θɪk/. The first sound, /leɪd/ is pronounced with a long "a" sound and a diphthong ending in a "d" sound. The second sound, /θɪk/ represents the voiceless dental fricative "th" sound followed by a short "i" sound and a hard "k" sound. When used together, "laid thick" refers to something that was applied or done heavily, intensively or excessively.
"Laid thick" is a colloquial expression that refers to a situation, atmosphere, or sensory experience characterized by an abundance, intensity, or excessive presence of something. The phrase suggests that there is a dense quantity or a heightened level of a particular element or attribute.
This expression often implies that the quantity or intensity of the mentioned element is quite noticeable, and it may give a sense of overwhelming or suffocating presence. It can be used figuratively, describing situations where a particular characteristic, feeling, or condition is extremely apparent or undeniably prevalent.
For example, the phrase "the tension in the room was laid thick" signifies a heavy and palpable feeling of unease or strain among the people present. Similarly, if someone says that "the snow was laid thick on the ground," it means that there is a substantial and noticeable layer of snow covering the surface.
"Laid thick" can also be used to describe figurative elements such as emotions, information, or even metaphors. For instance, if someone says that "emotions were laid thick in the air," it suggests that strong and intense feelings were significantly present in a situation or conversation.
Overall, "laid thick" signifies an abundance, intensity, density, or overwhelming presence of a particular element, adding a vivid and descriptive flair to conversational language or written expression.
The phrase "laid thick" does not have a specific etymology of its own. However, it is formed by combining two words with their respective etymologies:
1. "Laid": The word "laid" is the past tense and past participle form of the verb "lay". Its origin can be traced back to Old English, where it was spelled "lege" or "laede". From there, it developed to Middle English "laiden" and eventually to its current form. The ultimate root of "lay" is the Proto-Germanic word "lagjan", meaning "to lay" or "to place".
2. "Thick": The word "thick" has a longer history. It originated from Old English "thicce", which had a Germanic origin.