brogue
Noun: 1. A strong, sturdy shoe, typically made of leather and often featuring decorative perforations: This meaning refers to a specific style of footwear, historically associated with outdoor or country wear, characterized by its durability and often by ornamental patterns of small holes (broguing). 2. A marked accent, especially an Irish accent when speaking English: This meaning refers to a distinctive way of pronouncing a language, particularly one that identifies the speaker's regional or national origin.
- Meaning 1 (Shoe):
- He wore a pair of sturdy leather brogues for the hike.
- The classic wingtip brogue is a popular style for business casual attire.
- Meaning 2 (Accent):
- The actor perfected a soft Irish brogue for his role.
- She spoke with a charming Scottish brogue that was difficult to place.
- "Broguing": The noun form referring to the decorative perforations and serrations along the seams of a brogue shoe.
- The quality of the broguing is a sign of a well-made shoe.
- The term is often used attributively (as a noun modifier).
- brogue shoes, a brogue accent
- Brogan (noun): A heavy, ankle-high work shoe, similar to a brogue in sturdiness.
- Brogued (adjective): Describing a shoe that features broguing.
- He chose a pair of brogued oxfords.
- For the shoe: Oxford (specifically a style with closed lacing; some oxfords are brogued), derby (specifically a style with open lacing; some derbies are brogued), heavy shoe.
- For the accent: Accent, lilt, burr (specifically for a Scottish accent), twang.
The two meanings of "brogue" are etymologically distinct. The shoe term likely comes from the Irish/Gaelic bróg (meaning "shoe"). The accent term may derive from the idea that such an accent was as distinctive as the heavy shoe worn by Irish speakers, or from a different Irish word. They are homographs (same spelling) and homophones (same sound) but are considered separate words with different origins.
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a thick and heavy shoe
