# slut's wool

idiom · Vulgar

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/sluts-wool
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- I found some slut's wool under the sofa while cleaning.
- The cat chases a piece of slut's wool across the wooden floor.
- A ball of slut's wool rolls out from under your bed.
- She moved the heavy wardrobe and discovered a thick layer of slut's wool gathering in the corner.
- You should check the back of the refrigerator because slut's wool often builds up near the motor and blocks the airflow.
- If you do not vacuum behind the radiator regularly, you will notice gray clumps of slut's wool starting to form.
- The neglected attic was filled with cobwebs and clumps of slut's wool that had accumulated undisturbed for several decades.

## Origin

From the archaic sense of *slut* for a slovenly or untidy person, combined with *wool*. The term serves as a compound for the accumulations of household dust and lint found beneath furniture, suggesting a domestic environment where the standard of cleanliness has been allowed to lapse.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.