The spelling of the word "laughs away" corresponds to its IPA transcription /læfs əˈweɪ/. The first syllable "lafs" is spelled with a "gh" as an obsolete remnant of Middle English, where it represented a guttural sound. The second syllable is spelled with "away" as its conventional spelling. Therefore, the word means to laugh in a way that signifies overcoming or dismissing a situation, problem or emotion. The IPA phonetic transcription helps to understand the pronunciation of the word, making it easier to learn and pronounce.
"Laughs away" is a phrase that is used to describe how someone reacts to or deals with a particular situation or problem by laughing or making light of it. It suggests that the person does not take the matter seriously and dismisses it with laughter.
When someone "laughs away" a situation, it means that they use humor or amusement as a defense mechanism or coping mechanism to avoid confronting or acknowledging the seriousness or potential negative consequences of the situation. It can be seen as a way to lighten the mood and relieve tension, but it can also be a form of avoidance or denial.
This phrase is often used in instances where someone finds a situation humorous or trivializes it, even when others may view it as important or grave. It implies that the person does not want to dwell on the matter or dwell on negative emotions associated with it.
However, "laughs away" can also imply a lack of empathy or genuine concern for the situation at hand, as it may indicate a disregard for the feelings and concerns of others. It can be seen as a dismissive behavior that fails to address the underlying issues or provide appropriate support.
The phrase "laughs away" does not have a specific etymology because it is a combination of two separate words. However, we can analyze the etymology of each word individually.
1. Laughs: The word "laughs" originated from the Middle English word "laughen" which is derived from the Old English word "hleahhan". It has Germanic roots and is related to similar words in other Germanic languages such as German "lachen" and Dutch "lachen". The ultimate origin of the word can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "hlahjanan" which meant "to laugh".
2. Away: The word "away" comes from the Old English word "aweg" which is a combination of "a-" (denoting motion or direction) and "weg" (meaning "way" or "road").