The expression ‘to air dirty laundry in public’ comes from a much older French idioms that says ‘you should wash your dirty clothing at home.’ To wash was transformed to ‘air’ in English to mean hanging one’s laundry out to let the air freshen it. This implies that one’s laundry is a bit smelly and to “air” it in public is to expose others to this offensive odor, hence the allusion in the idiom.
Also:
Air One’s Dirty Linens in Public
Wash One’s Dirty Laundry/Linens in Public
Dirty Laundry (noun)
Meaning of Idiom ‘Air (One’s) Dirty Laundry in Public
To air one’s dirty laundry in public means to reveal personal matters in public that should be left private. This expression especially refers to unsavory secrets about one’s private life discussed in front of other people. 1Ammer, Christine. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013.
Often this idiom is shortened to ‘dirty laundry,’ which is used as a noun to refer to the types of details that, when revealed, could sully a person’s reputation, threaten their career, etc. Tabloid reporters are said to deal in dirty laundry, meaning they pursue stories concerning salacious details about the private lives of celebrities, politicians, etc.
Sentence Examples
“My neighbors are always loudly arguing with each other in the front yard and accusing each other of cheating, etc. I’ve never understood people who choose to air their dirty laundry in public.”
“My cousin was a reporter for a greasy tabloid for years. She finally got tired of dealing with other people’s dirty laundry and quit.”
“Dad must have really screwed up big this time. Darling, you know I don’t like to air our dirty laundry in public.” — What I Like About You: The Cheerleading Incident (2003)
“Someone certainly snuck out of here in a hurry.” “I know what you’re all thinking. Now that Allison has seen fit to air our dirty laundry in public, you assume that was her lover. But I know it wasn’t.” — Frasier: Party, Party (1998)
“I grew up in the military, and no matter what, you do not air your dirty laundry in public.” — Army Wives: Dirty Laundry (2007)
“That was a private experience that we shared, okay? I don’t really appreciate you airing our dirty laundry in public.” — Girls: I Saw You (2014)
“Don’t forget, I’m from Los Angeles. We love airing our dirty laundry out in public. That’s why there’s so much smog.” — Everwood: Across the Lines (2006)
Origin of Air Dirty Laundry in Public
First used in English in 1867, this idiom derived from an old French proverb, Il fault laver son linge sale en famille, meaning “One should wash one’s dirty laundry at home.” Napoleon used this proverb when he returned from his exile in Elba in 1815.
Airing laundry or linen refers to exposing it to fresh or warm air in order to dry it or to freshen it.
More Idioms Starting with A
More Air Idioms
More Dirty Idioms