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Alex alex Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

discerning between spicy and naturaly hot

Many other words normally associated with temperature will not unambiguously perform the same function. For example "smoking hot," "blazing hot," "fiery hot," "flaming hot," and "burning hot" all could be used to describe spiciness. "Piping hot," however, refers exclusively to temperature. (AmE)

I am confused with using the word hot in the phrases above. I have checked dictionaries and all express that hot could be just either and adjective or verb, so what is that?
  

Top answer

alex alex I am confused with using the word hot in the phrases above. I have checked dictionaries and all express that hot could be just either and adjective or verb, so what is that? I'm not aware of a verb "to hot".

  • alex alex I am confused with using the word hot in the phrases above.
  • I have checked dictionaries and all express that hot could be just either and adjective or verb, so what is that?
  • I'm not aware of a verb "to hot".
  • All uses of "hot" in your quote are adjectives.
  • They are modified by various adverbs.
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2 Answers
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alex alexI am confused with using the word hot in the phrases above. I have checked dictionaries and all express that hot could be just either and adjective or verb, so what is that?
I'm not aware of a verb "to hot". All uses of "hot" in your quote are adjectives. They are modified by various adverbs.

CJ
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Basically, "piping hot" is derived from the image of steam coming out of a tea kettle when water boils. Therefore, it can be applied to anything at the temperature of boiling. It would not make sense to use it to describe spicy food.

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