white glove test

See also: white-glove test

English

Alternative forms

• white-glove test

Etymology

From the 1950s American image of putting on a white glove and running a finger along a spot to see how much dirt and dust is accumulated as a way of measuring how well the area has been kept clean.

Noun

white glove test (plural white glove tests)

1. An examination of cleanliness, hygiene or other cleaning-related standards.

   Looking at the imprint his hand had left on the visible layer of dust, he realized his home would certainly not pass his mother's white glove test.

References

• White Glove Test (Houston Advanced Research Center)
• "Lead Paint Safety Requires 'White Glove' Test" (Bloomberg)
• A hotel's white-glove test (Boston.com)
• Watchdogs for the Elderly 15 Volunteers Advocate for Those Who Have No Voice (redOrbit)
• Dealing with 10 messes on your property (The Arizona Republic)