elephant's toothpaste en · NOUN
Etymology
The foamy texture and size of the resulting mass suggest a large amount of toothpaste, as might be imagined to be used by a large creature like an elephant.
Meanings
- (uncountable) A foamy substance caused by the rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide using potassium iodide as a catalyst; the outcome of a popular educational experiment in chemistry.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| elephant toothpaste | alternative | lexicographic |