ENGLISH
REFERENCE

slut's wool

idiom
Meaning

Accumulated dust, fluff, hair, etc., that tends to occur indoors in areas not regularly dusted, such as under heavy furniture.


Origin

disputed origin

From slut (“a slovenly, untidy person (archaic)”) + -'s + wool.

Examples
SIMPLE

I found some slut's wool under the sofa while cleaning.

CONTEXTUAL

She moved the heavy wardrobe and discovered a thick layer of slut's wool gathering in the corner.

COMPLEX

The neglected attic was filled with cobwebs and clumps of slut's wool that had accumulated undisturbed for several decades.

Anchors to
Related idioms3entries
  1. 01

    more cry than wool

    Dramatic assertions that are backed by little evidence.

  2. 02

    pull the wool over someone's eyes

    To deceive someone.

  3. 03

    wrap in cotton wool

    To treat delicately, to baby, to coddle.

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