Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

imaginary lat syndrome

/ɪˌmæd͡ʒɪˌnɛɹi ˈlæt ˌsɪndɹoʊm/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.02 in modern English

Syllables: im-a-gin-a-ry lat syn-drome
IPA: /ɪˌmæd͡ʒɪˌnɛɹi ˈlæt ˌsɪndɹoʊm/

32

Scrabble Score

20

Letters

6

Syllables

13

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A tendency for one to adopt a posture as if one had larger latissimus dorsi muscles than one actually has, especially a posture where the arms are held away from the torso.

Derogatory; Humorous; Uncountable

Example Sentences

"Neophytes, for example, risk being ridiculed by other gym members if they walk this way: ‘Aghh, look at him! He’s got ILS [Imaginary Lat Syndrome]’."
"[Brendan] Ranford does not have washboard abs, like many of his prospect camp counterparts, and he does not walk around with Imaginary Lat Syndrome — or a deliberate, imposing gait to impress or attract."
"Not everyone who does regular resistance training has to end up with tight muscles, inflexible joints, and a bad case of imaginary lat syndrome."
"ILS, or Imaginary Lat Syndrome, became popular in the late 1980s when pro wrestling peaked and every guy wanted to be like Hulk Hogan."
"His [Kenneth’s] arms talk: elbows cocked out, hands into fists, when illustrating the tough, dominant image he has worn for much of his time in white gay enclaves — jokily referring to “imaginary lat syndrome.”"

Etymology

From imaginary + lat (“(slang) latissimus dorsi muscle”) + syndrome.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ɪˌmæd͡ʒɪˌnɛɹi ˈlæt ˌsɪndɹoʊm/
British English: /ɪˌmæd͡ʒɪn(ə)ɹi ˈlæt ˌsɪndɹəʊm/

Usage

Synonyms

ILS invisible lat syndrome

Questions

How do you pronounce imaginary lat syndrome?: The recorded pronunciation is /ɪˌmæd͡ʒɪˌnɛɹi ˈlæt ˌsɪndɹoʊm/.
What does imaginary lat syndrome mean?: A tendency for one to adopt a posture as if one had larger latissimus dorsi muscles than one actually has, especially a posture where the arms are held away from the torso.
Where does imaginary lat syndrome come from?: From imaginary + lat (“(slang) latissimus dorsi muscle”) + syndrome.

How to pronounce imaginary lat syndrome

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