Squeegee

[skinem]

Squeegee

Pronunciation: \ˈskwē-ˌjē\

Variant(s): also squil·gee \ˈskwē-, ˈskwil-\

Function: noun

Etymology: origin unknown

Date: 1844

: a blade of leather or rubber set on a handle and used for spreading, pushing, or wiping liquid material on, across, or off a surface (as a window) ; also : a smaller similar device or a small rubber roller with handle used by a photographer or lithographer

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):squee·geed also squil·geed; squee·gee·ing also squil·gee·ing

Date: 1883

: to smooth, wipe, or treat with a squeegee

Squilgee?? Has anyone ever heard the variant? Is it a regional thing?

[Slava]

Squilgee?? Has anyone ever heard the variant? Is it a regional thing?

I sure haven't ever heard it. Dictionary.com has "squillagee," to boot. It gives no clue as to any regional usage, though.

It does, however, raise the idea that it derives from a corruption of the word "squeeze."

This was first posted a year and a half ago, so perhaps there's a new member who has come across the alternates.