They have no nose, or they would have smelt it out. They are dull, heavy, stupid, void of ingenuity or sagacity. “Emunctae naris homo,” that is, he is a man of a clear head, of quick sense, and sound judgment.
The sense of smelling has perhaps been taken, preferably to any of the other senses, though they are all occasionally used, to denote the perfection or imperfection of the understanding, from observing the different value that is put upon dogs, in proportion as they have this sense more or less perfect.
“Olet lucernam,” it smells of the lamp, is said of any work on which much pains have been bestowed to make it perfect.
“Mener par le nez,” to lead any one by the nose ; or, to have such influence over him, as to make him say, do, or believe, whatever we please.
(once again Dr Bland and Erasmus)
Leave a Reply