devil's dung: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowInformal, Archaic, Technical (herbalism/botany)
Quick answer
What does “devil's dung” mean?
A common name for the resin of the plant Ferula asafoetida, noted for its extremely pungent, unpleasant smell, akin to rotting garlic or sulphur.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A common name for the resin of the plant Ferula asafoetida, noted for its extremely pungent, unpleasant smell, akin to rotting garlic or sulphur.
Informally, any substance considered to have a highly unpleasant odor; can be used metaphorically for something considered contemptible or repulsive.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is equally archaic and specialized in both varieties.
Connotations
Strongly negative connotation due to the olfactory association. In technical botanical/herbal contexts, it is a neutral historical term.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use outside of historical texts, herbalism, or culinary discussions about traditional ingredients.
Grammar
How to Use “devil's dung” in a Sentence
Known as [NP: devil's dung]Smelled of [NP: devil's dung]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “devil's dung” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The devil's-dung smell filled the old apothecary.
American English
- A devil's-dung odor permeated the storage room.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only in historical, botanical, or culinary history texts.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Would be understood metaphorically as something very smelly.
Technical
Used as an alternative name for asafoetida in herbalism, traditional medicine, and some culinary contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “devil's dung”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “devil's dung”
- Using it as a general insult for a person (non-idiomatic).
- Omitting the apostrophe + s ('devils dung').
- Assuming it is a modern, common term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not a profanity. It is a descriptive, if vulgar-sounding, name for a plant substance. It can be used metaphorically to describe a bad smell.
Generally, no. Use the standard term 'asafoetida' (or 'hing') in formal, academic, or scientific writing. 'Devil's dung' is informal and archaic.
It has a very strong, pungent smell often compared to a mix of rotten garlic, sulphur, and overcooked cabbage. The smell mellows into a pleasant, garlic-onion flavor when cooked in oil.
It's an example of a folk name (a folk etymology) given to unpleasant-smelling plants, attributing the foul odor to something associated with the devil (evil) and dung (filth).
A common name for the resin of the plant Ferula asafoetida, noted for its extremely pungent, unpleasant smell, akin to rotting garlic or sulphur.
Devil's dung: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdev.əlz ˈdʌŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdev.əlz ˈdʌŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated. Figurative: 'It smelled like devil's dung.']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a devil using something extremely foul-smelling as fertiliser (dung) for his garden. That 'devil's dung' is the plant resin asafoetida.
Conceptual Metaphor
EXTREME DISLIKE/REPULSION IS FILTH (The devil's excrement).
Practice
Quiz
In which context are you most likely to encounter the term 'devil's dung' today?