spitting image

spitting image meaning in Tamil and Indonesian

Forms of spitting image

Origin of spitting image

An alteration of the earlier spitten image (see spitten). A popular folk etymology explains this phrase as deriving from the idea of a father spitting out a child whole from his mouth, as if giving birth. But spitten image actually developed from spit and image, where spit in this context means “likeness”. Terban further suggests a derivation of this sense of spit from the word spirit, but evidence for this is lacking. Another theory is that the idiom is Biblical, after an image of God spitting into dry earth to make the clay out of which Adam would be formed.

Questions about spitting image

What does spitting image mean?

Spitting image means the exact likeness (of someone); a speaking or living image.

What is spitting image in Tamil?

Spitting image in Tamil is அச்சு அசல். See Spitting image meaning in Tamil.

What part of speech is spitting image?

Spitting image is a noun.

How do you pronounce spitting image?

Spitting image is pronounced /ˈspɪtɪŋ ˈɪmɪdʒ/ (UK).

What is the plural of spitting image?

The plural of spitting image is spitting images.