The word "squeegee" has an interesting spelling. It is pronounced /skwiːdʒiː/ and is spelled with three E's that are not necessarily pronounced individually. The first two E's have a long sound, while the last E has a short sound. The letter G sounds like a 'J', and the letter Q sounds like a 'K'. The origin of the word comes from the Dutch word "zijgen", meaning to dry or wipe. The spelling of the word may seem odd at first, but once pronounced correctly, it makes perfect sense.
A squeegee is a versatile tool typically consisting of a handle attached to a flat, flexible blade made of rubber or a similar material. Primarily used for cleaning and removing liquid from smooth surfaces, it is a common item found in many households, janitorial supplies, and automotive stores.
The squeegee's main purpose is to efficiently remove or spread water, cleaning solutions, or other fluids from various surfaces. It is often employed on windows, glass shower doors, vehicle windshields, and tile floors. The rubber blade's flexibility allows it to conform to the surface being cleaned, ensuring maximum contact and efficient fluid removal.
To use a squeegee, the blade is pressed against the surface with moderate pressure, then drawn across it in a consistent motion. This action collects the liquid and directs it to a collection point, preventing streaking or pooling. Consequently, using a squeegee can result in clear, streak-free surfaces with less effort and time compared to other cleaning methods, such as paper towels or cloths.
In addition to its cleaning function, the squeegee is also utilized in certain craft applications, such as screen printing or stencil art. The blade's edge is perfect for spreading ink or paint evenly over a stencil, ensuring precise and uniform design prints.
Ultimately, the squeegee's simplicity and effectiveness in fluid removal make it an essential tool for various cleaning tasks and artistic endeavors.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "squeegee" is derived from the Dutch word "wisser" which means "wiper" or "scraper". In the 19th century, Dutch immigrants brought the tool to America, where it was simplified and Anglicized as "squeegee". The word gained popularity and has since become the common name for the cleaning tool used to remove liquids from surfaces such as windows or floors.