The phrase "soaking wet" contains two words that have their own distinct pronunciations. "Soaking" is pronounced as /ˈsoʊ.kɪŋ/ with the stress on the first syllable, and the "o" is pronounced as a long "o" sound as in "boat." "Wet" is pronounced as /wɛt/ with the stress on the first syllable, and the "e" is pronounced as a short "e" sound. The combined phrase is used to describe something that is thoroughly wet or completely saturated with water.
Soaking wet is an idiomatic expression used to describe something or someone that is thoroughly drenched with water or any liquid. This phrase is commonly used when referring to someone whose clothes or body has been exposed to a significant amount of water, resulting in a state of complete saturation.
When an individual or an object is soaking wet, it implies that they are completely and thoroughly wet, with moisture penetrating deeply into their clothes or skin. The term "soaking" suggests a long duration of exposure to water or liquids, resulting in a state of thorough saturation. Being soaking wet often implies that the person or object is dripping with water and may cause puddles or pools of liquid wherever they go.
The term can be used figuratively to describe situations beyond physical wetness. For instance, it can be used to convey a sense of overwhelming emotions or being submerged in a particular state or experience. In these contexts, soaking wet implies a sense of complete immersion, to the point where the person or situation feels entirely consumed by the designated condition or feeling.
In summary, soaking wet refers to being completely and thoroughly drenched with water or liquid, exhibiting a state of thorough saturation and often implying a sense of overwhelming immersion.
The term "soaking wet" is a figurative expression that describes someone or something that is thoroughly wet. The etymology of this phrase can be understood by examining the origins of its constituent words.
1. Soaking: The word "soak" originated from the Old English word "sōcian", meaning "to be saturated with moisture". It can also be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*sōkan" and the Proto-Indo-European root "*seuə-" which means "to take liquid". Over time, the term "soak" evolved to refer to the action of submerging or immersing something in liquid, resulting in it becoming completely wet.
2. Wet: The word "wet" has its roots in the Old English word "wǣt", which refers to the presence of moisture or water on a surface.