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Swish vs Gargle - What's the difference?

swish | gargle |

In transitive terms the difference between swish and gargle

is that swish is to flourish with a swishing sound while gargle is to use (a liquid) for purposes of cleaning one's mouth or throat by gargling.

As nouns the difference between swish and gargle

is that swish is a short rustling, hissing or whistling sound, often made by friction while gargle is a liquid used for gargling.

As verbs the difference between swish and gargle

is that swish is to make a rustling sound while moving while gargle is to clean one's mouth by holding water or some other liquid in the back of the mouth and blowing air out from the lungs.

As an adjective swish

is sophisticated; fashionable; smooth.

swish

English

Adjective

(en-adj)
  • (British, colloquial) sophisticated; fashionable; smooth.
  • This restaurant looks very swish — it even has linen tablecloths.
  • Attractive, stylish
  • * 2014 , , " Southampton hammer eight past hapless Sunderland in barmy encounter", The Guardian , 18 October 2014:
  • The Saints, who started the day third in the table, went marching on thanks to their own swish play and some staggering defending by the visitors.
  • effeminate.
  • Noun

    (es)
  • A short rustling, hissing or whistling sound, often made by friction.
  • A sound of liquid flowing inside a container.
  • *1898 , , (Moonfleet) Chapter 4
  • *:There were four or five men in the vault already, and I could hear more coming down the passage, and guessed from their heavy footsteps that they were carrying burdens. There was a sound, too, of dumping kegs down on the ground, with a swish of liquor inside them, and then the noise of casks being moved.
  • A movement of an animal's tail
  • A twig or bundle of twigs, used for administering beatings; a switch
  • (basketball) A successful basketball shot that does not touch the rim or backboard.
  • An effeminate male homosexual.
  • Verb

    (es)
  • To make a rustling sound while moving.
  • The cane swishes .
  • To flourish with a swishing sound.
  • to swish a cane back and forth
    (Coleridge)
  • (transitive, slang, dated) To flog; to lash.
  • (Thackeray)
  • (basketball) To make a successful basketball shot that does not touch the rim or backboard.
  • (gay slang) To mince or otherwise to behave in an effeminate manner.
  • I shall not swish ; I'll merely act limp-wristed.

    gargle

    English

    (Gargling)

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) . Compare gargoyle.

    Verb

    (gargl)
  • to clean one's mouth by holding water or some other liquid in the back of the mouth and blowing air out from the lungs
  • * 1915 , Willa Cather, The Song of the Lark :
  • She hated the poisoned feeling in her throat, and no matter how often she gargled she felt unclean and disgusting.
  • to make a sound like the one made while gargling
  • to clean a specific part of the body by gargling (almost always throat'' or ''mouth )
  • * 1893 , Gilbert Parker, Mrs. Falchion :
  • They don't gargle their throats with anything stronger than coffee at this tavern.
  • to use (a liquid) for purposes of cleaning one's mouth or throat by gargling.
  • Every morning he gargled a little cheap Scotch.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • a liquid used for gargling
  • * 1861 , Young's Demonstrative Translation of Scientific Secrets :
  • Take of borax 1 drm., tinc. of myrrh 1/2 oz., clarified honey 1 oz., rose or distilled water, 4 oz.; mix. To be used as a gargle or mouth wash in sore mouth or affection of the gums.
  • the sound of gargling
  • (slang) lager, drink
  • Synonyms
    * mouthwash
    Derived terms
    * gargle-factory

    Etymology 2

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Anagrams

    * *