Why is it rare to find the phrase "a saggy mustache" rather than "a droopy mustache"? I googled the phrase "a saggy mustache" but it showed very few results, compared to "a droopy/drooping mustache" which is so common that it is included in dictionaries' examples. This is while "droop" and "sag" are synonymous and both mean "to hang down or bend".
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I suggest you post it on ELL or put more information. Or else it will be closed.– Me myself and ICommented Jan 19, 2018 at 13:07
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2Because "droopy" sounds more mustachey.– Hot LicksCommented Jan 19, 2018 at 13:37
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Possibly opinion, but both have negative overtones, but 'saggy' the more so, especially when used of personal attributes.– Edwin AshworthCommented Jan 19, 2018 at 15:11
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You're assuming that the two words are synonyms, but they're not. Capturing a few common words from brief online dictionary definitions may reveal some similarities, but the only consistent outcome from such "research" is going to be confusion. Follow this link and read the whole definition...– Rob_SterCommented Jan 19, 2018 at 15:14
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3I would argue that sagging frequently occurs in the middle of something whereas drooping tends to occur at one or both ends. Thus a flower droops when its head dips downward, but a belly sags when it pooches out over a belt or an elastic waistband. There is some overlap, however, as sag may apply to certain instances of droop.– Sven YargsCommented Jan 19, 2018 at 20:40
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3 Answers
Droopy typically implies that the edges hang down while the centre is supported. So imagine pointing your index finger straight up into the sky, and you place a tissue on it, the centre of the tissue will sit on your finger, while the four corners will droop down.
Saggy implies the the centre lacks support, while the edges have support. So if you were to hold the four corners of a tissue, the centre would "sag" down due to gravity.
So by looking at the shape of a moustache, which looks like "∩". The edges point down, therefore moustaches are droopy and not saggy.
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@TamO'Shanter if you think we have answered your question, please kindly select the answer you find fit.– 3kstcCommented Feb 2, 2018 at 0:33
I agree with Sven Yargs - a sagging moustache could be falling down in the centre (maybe.. It's a fake moustache...?) whereas droopy is hanging down at the sides. Sag implies something that once was straight but now arches downwards - a line that has gone 'off-true'. Saggy moustache would be poetic, it's not really a normal expression, whereas droopy moustache is.
I was approaching from the direction of saggy is a state of being, while droopy is more a(n) (inherent) quality.
