Weird Word Wednesday - retroussé

retroussé

Today's weird word is retroussé. It is a word used specifically for the upturn of a person's nose. You know, like the famous Bob Hope slope? Umm... you never heard of Bob Hope? Great. I'm used to kids making me feel old by not knowing things, like what a rotary phone is, but now even adults are even making me feel old. Oh well.

Here is some more information I found about a turned up nose:
" Turned Up Nose
Also called a celestial nose, a turned up nose runs in a smooth line right from the eyes to the tip of the nose. The fall line of the nose ends in a slightly peaked tip with a delicate outward curve, though it is not pointed."

Just for taking the time to classify the types of noses, I'd like to thank: http://www.lifestylekarma.com/2011/09/12/types-of-noses/

The SUN did a whole article on what the shape of your nose says about you. The article can be found here: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/2875607/What-your-nose-shape-says-about-you.html This is what they say about a turned up nose.

"Turned-up

FAMOUS EXAMPLE: Marilyn Monroe

Cute ... Marilyn Monroe's turned-up nose

NOSE NOTES: Those with these types of cute, turned-up noses are mostly kind, optimistic and full of character.
They usually have nurturing personalities and like to provide love and support for their friends and family.
People with this nose type often have an endless enthusiasm for new things and experiences.
Often a sign of the sexually adventurous but at the same time a person with a turned-up nose usually takes well to marriage."

OK, well I'm not sure that I would want to read that much into the nose shape of a potential future spouse, but hey, who am I to judge? 

My computer added this information to the definition: "(of a person's nose) turned up at the tip, esp. in an attractive way."


Here is the Merriam-Webster definition.

re·trous·sé

adj
\rə-ˌtrü-ˈsā, rə-ˈtrü-ˌ, ˌre-tru̇-ˈ\

Definition of RETROUSSÉ

: turned up <retroussé nose>

Origin of RETROUSSÉ

French, from past participle of retrousser to tuck up, from Middle French, from re- + trousser to truss, tuck up — more at truss

First Known Use: 1837

 

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retrouss/

So next time you see someone with a turned up nose, you'll think "I know there's a name for that... some famous guy I never heard of had one, oh ya, and Marilyn Monroe did too... can't for the life of me remember the word for it though. Gotta go Google Venti With the Girls and look that up!"

=J