Pronunciation: [slˈʌʃ ɐɹˈa͡ʊnd] (IPA) 
The phrase "slush around" is spelled as /slʌʃ əˈraʊnd/. The word "slush" is spelled with the letter "s" followed by the digraph "lu" which represents the sound /lʌ/. The word "around" is spelled as it sounds, with the letters "a-r-o-u-n-d" representing the sounds /əˈraʊnd/. Together, the phrase "slush around" means to move through slush or wet snow or to stir something with a slush-like consistency.
The phrase "slush around" typically refers to the act of moving or sloshing through a liquid or semi-liquid substance in a careless or unpleasant manner. It is often used to describe the passage of a person or something solid through wet, muddy, or slushy ground. The term is particularly associated with winter conditions, where "slush" commonly refers to a mixture of melting snow and ice on the ground.
When someone or something "slushes around," it implies a lack of precision or control in movement due to the resistance and slipperiness of the slush. It also suggests a degree of discomfort, as walking through slush can result in soggy shoes, splashes, and unsteady footing. The sensation of slushing around can be accompanied by a distinct squishing or squelching sound as the liquid is displaced and displaced again.
Figuratively, "slush around" can also describe the fluid motion or displacement of a liquid, typically in a haphazard or uncontrolled manner. This usage is often metaphorical, such as describing the viewpoint or decision-making process that is shifting without firm direction or focus. In this case, the term conveys a sense of instability, lack of precision, and inconsistency.
Overall, "slush around" captures the image of clumsy or uncontrolled movement through a wet or slushy substance, both literally and metaphorically, with a connotation of discomfort, lack of stability, and imprecise displacement.
The phrase "slush around" is not an established idiomatic expression, so it doesn't have a specific etymology. However, the two key words in the phrase, "slush" and "around", possess their own distinct origins.
1. Slush: The word "slush" originated in the 1620s and initially referred to partially melted ice or snow. It has Dutch origins, derived from the Dutch word "slops", which meant muddy or melted snow. Over time, the term "slush" evolved to encompass various meanings related to wet or watery substances, especially those resulting from melting snow or ice.
2. Around: The word "around" dates back to Old English and has roots in Germanic languages. Its original form was "on round", combining the preposition "on" (meaning "on" or "in") and "round" (meaning circular or surrounding).
