floss
FLOSS
/flɒs/
A soft thread used to clean between the teeth, or the action of using such a thread.
Refers both to the physical thread (dental floss) and the routine hygiene practice of cleaning interdental spaces.
The story behind the word. Floss originally referred to untwisted silk refuse or soft waste fibers, derived from Old French 'flosche' (downy or plush). In the early 19th century, New Orleans dentist Levi Spear Parmly began advising patients to clean between their teeth with a silk thread, giving rise to modern dental floss.
Commonly confused with
- brush: Brushing cleans exposed surfaces of teeth, while flossing cleans narrow spaces between adjacent teeth.
Word family
- flossing (noun): The act of cleaning teeth with dental floss.
Collocations
- dental floss
- floss daily
- waxed floss
- floss between teeth
Example sentences
- "Dentists recommend that you floss at least once a day to remove interdental plaque." Personal hygiene routines
Memory hook
FLOSS is fine SILK or string that FITS between tight teeth. FLOSS = Thread to clean between teeth.
When not to use
Do not use floss when referring to toothpicks or interdental brushes unless specifically referring to string floss.
Fun facts
- Silk thread was used as dental floss for over a century until nylon replaced silk during World War II due to silk shortages.
Related words
Also appears in
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