say aah

English

Verb

say aah (third-person singular simple present says aah, present participle saying aah, simple past and past participle said aah)

1. (chiefly imperative) To open one's mouth wide and utter a prolonged /ɑ/ (usually to allow a medical examination).
   • 2002, Robin Maconie, The Second Sense: Language, Music, and Hearing, Scarecrow Press, →ISBN:

     The doctor says, “Say aah.” Why aah? Why not ooh or eee? Because if you say ooh your lips are pursed, and if you say eee your teeth are clenched. Neither of which is good if you want to look into somebody's open mouth.

   • 2008, Monique Polak, What World is Left, Orca Book Publishers, →ISBN, page 179:

     Now say aah.” I say aah. Then I shut my eyes tight. Even so, I can't stop picturing Dr. Hayek's long thin metal tongs and the way they gleam under the infirmary lights.

   • 1981, Mademoiselle: The Magazine for the Smart Young Woman:

     Take a mirror, open your mouth and say aah.

   • 1992, Lynn Beach, Stranger in the mirror, Aladdin, →ISBN:

     "Say aah," Mrs. Albert said, peering into her mouth.

Anagrams

• Hayasa