The word "sourpuss" refers to a person who is habitually grumpy or sour in temperament. If you want to emphasize someone's sourness even further, you could call them a "more sourpuss". In IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet), the pronunciation of sourpuss is /ˈsaʊrˌpʌs/, with the stress on the first syllable. To indicate that someone is even more sour, you could add the word "more" before it, and the IPA transcription would remain the same: /mɔːr ˈsaʊrˌpʌs/.
"More sourpuss" is a colloquial expression that combines the words "more" and "sourpuss" to describe someone who has an increasingly negative or grumpy demeanor. A sourpuss is a term used to describe a person who habitually displays a sour, dour, or pessimistic disposition, often accompanied by a frowning or scowling facial expression.
In the phrase "more sourpuss," the word "more" indicates a comparative degree, suggesting that the person being referred to is exhibiting an even higher level of sourness or negativity than previously observed. The expression implies that the individual's overall demeanor has deteriorated further, indicating an intensified negative attitude or outlook.
The term "more sourpuss" is typically used in a lighthearted or humorous context, rather than one that is genuinely derogatory or insulting. It may be employed to playfully criticize someone's consistently negative attitude or to tease someone who is known for their grumpy behavior.
Overall, the phrase "more sourpuss" serves as an exaggerated phrase to convey an increased level of sourness or negativity in an individual's demeanor.
The etymology of the word "sourpuss" can be traced back to the late 19th century. The word "sour" refers to something that has a sharp, acidic, or bitter taste. In a metaphorical sense, "sour" can also describe a person who is ill-tempered, grumpy, or easily annoyed.
The term "puss" is derived from the word "pussy", which has a long history as a colloquial term for the face. It originated from the Middle English word "pus" or "puss", meaning a pocket or bag, and eventually came to refer to the face, particularly the mouth or lips.
When combined, "sour" and "puss" form the compound word "sourpuss", which describes an individual with a perpetually gloomy, frowning, or discontented facial expression.