The phrase "takes gander" means to take a quick look or glance. The word "gander" is spelled with a hard "g" sound, like "goose," and is pronounced /ˈɡændər/ (gan-der) in IPA phonetic transcription. The verb "takes" is spelled phonetically as well, with a long "a" sound and a "k" sound that is lightly articulated. Its IPA transcription is /teɪks/ (takes). When combined, the phrase "takes gander" is spelled and pronounced as it appears, with no irregularities in spelling or pronunciation.
"Take a gander" is an idiomatic expression that means to glance briefly at something or to take a quick, casual look. It is often used when referring to looking at something in a casual or informal manner, without giving it too much attention or scrutiny. The phrase is derived from the behavior of a gander, which is a male goose, known to be alert and observant, constantly turning its head to take a look at its surroundings.
When someone says "take a gander," they are suggesting that you take a brief look at something that might be of interest or curiosity. It implies a nonchalant or casual examination of an object, scene, or situation. For example, if someone tells you to take a gander at a new fashion collection, they are encouraging you to have a quick look at it without deeply analyzing the details or giving it too much thought.
The phrase is commonly used in informal conversations or written contexts to indicate a casual or cursory observation. It can also be used humorously or sarcastically, suggesting that the thing being referred to is not particularly important or impressive. Overall, "take a gander" is an idiomatic expression that conveys the idea of taking a quick, casual look at something without much focus or scrutiny.
The phrase "takes a gander" is an idiomatic expression that means to take a quick look or glance at something.
The word "gander" is derived from Middle English "gandere" and Old English "gandra", which both referred to a male goose. In this sense, "gander" came to be associated with a casual or brief look, likening it to the way a goose turns its head to quickly survey its surroundings.
The phrase itself likely originated in the early 20th century, with the word "gander" already in use to mean a quick look or glance. The verb "takes" in this expression simply functions as a way of describing the act of conducting such a quick look or glance.