Not to be sniffed at - phrase meaning and origin

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One way of showing contempt for something is to raise your chin, avert or close your eyes, and sniff (once), supposedly practiced by snobs in ...  Browsephrasesbeginningwith: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZFull ListNottobesniffedatPostedbySmokeyStoveronMarch30,2007InReplyto:NottobesniffedatpostedbyLesleyonMarch30,2007:Wheredoesthephrase"nottobesniffedat"originateandwhatisit'smeaning?Onewayofshowingcontemptforsomethingistoraiseyourchin,avertorcloseyoureyes,andsniff(once),supposedlypracticedbysnobsinthepresenceofthelowerclasses."Nottobesniffedat"meansnottobescornedorunderappreciated.It'sratheranoldexpression,accordingtotheOxfordEnglishDictionary.s.v.sniff:"3.Toshoworexpresscontempt,disdain,disparagement,incredulity,orsimilarfeeling,bysniffing:a.Const.atapersonorthing.1729SWIFTGrandQuestionWks.1755IV.I.109Sothenyoulook'dscornful,andsniftatthedean.1837CARLYLEFr.Rev.I.VI.iv,CamilleDesmoulins,andothers,sniffingathimforit.1864{emem}Fredk.Gt.XVI.x.VI.262OurShopkeepersoftheRueSt.Honoréwouldsniffatsuchalodging.1888Times6July9/3Superiorpersons..willdoubtlesssniffattheexpressionofopinionuponthesetopicsbytheHouseofLords.b.Withoutconst.1837CARLYLEFr.Rev.I.VI.ii,DuskyD'Espréménildoesnothingbutsniffandejaculate.1871MRS.WHITNEYRealFolksxvii,Shedidnotsniff;shewasagreatdealtoomuchalady.1881BESANT&RICEChapl.FleetI.91Mrs.Gambittsniffeddisdainfully."SSx



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