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Kyuurism Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
blow our nose
I found the passage as follows:
When she sneezed and a nurse enquired, "Do we need to blow our nose?"
Ursula replied coldly, "I wasn't aware we shared a common nose, but if you need to blow yours, go ahead. It's big enough."
What does the nurse mean by "blow our nose?"
(I don't think the nurse needs to blow her own nose)
Do you use the phrase for kids or something?
When she sneezed and a nurse enquired, "Do we need to blow our nose?"
Ursula replied coldly, "I wasn't aware we shared a common nose, but if you need to blow yours, go ahead. It's big enough."
What does the nurse mean by "blow our nose?"
(I don't think the nurse needs to blow her own nose)
Do you use the phrase for kids or something?
Top answer
kyuurism Do you use the phrase for kids or something? Yes. It's a condescending way of speaking.
- kyuurism Do you use the phrase for kids or something?
- Yes.
- It's a condescending way of speaking.
- CJ
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8 Answers
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kyuurismDo you use the phrase for kids or something?Yes. It's a condescending way of speaking.
CJ
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This is more of a British English thing. It may or may not be condescending. It may be to avoid the awkward situation of asking someone directly to blow one's nose. How would you address that with a stranger in your own language?
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I would not dream of asking/telling/advising a stranger to blow their nose.
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AnonymousThis is more of a British English thing.I assure you it's American as well.
CJ
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We are more straightforward in my native tongue: Stop sniffling and blow your nose.
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I think of it as peculiar to doctors and nurses. My veterinarian does it too. "Are we still having trouble with hairballs?"
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