What does canary in the mineshaft mean?
canary in a coal mine (plural canaries in a coal mine or canaries in coal mines) (idiomatic) Something whose sensitivity to adverse conditions makes it a useful early indicator of such conditions; something which warns of the coming of greater danger or trouble by a deterioration in its health or welfare.
What is a canary in a coalmine?
Canary in the coal mine. Meaning. Someone/something that is an early warning of danger.
Why would a canary be in a coal mine?
On this day in 1986, a mining tradition dating back to 1911 ended: the use of canaries in coal mines to detect carbon monoxide and other toxic gases before they hurt humans. If the animal became ill or died, that would give miners a warning to evacuate.
Is canary in a coal mine an idiom?
Meaning – Someone or something that is an early warning for trouble or danger.
What’s another word for canary in a coal mine?
canary in the coal mine > synonyms
| 6 | »canary in a coal mine exp. & idi. & n.warning, danger |
|---|---|
| 1 | »first indicator of danger exp.warning, indicator |
| 1 | »first indicator of failure exp.warning, indicator |
| 1 | »wake-up call |
| 1 | »wake up call |
Are Canaries still used in coal mines?
Today, animals have been replaced by digital CO detectors that warn miners of danger. Use of canaries in coal mines ended in 1986. However, you may still hear people use the phrase “canary in a coal mine” today. It’s an idiom that describes something that may be a warning sign of trouble or danger to come.
Do coal mines still use canaries?
What does being the canary mean?
Something or someone who, due to sensitivity to his, her, or its surroundings, acts as an indicator and early warning of possible adverse conditions or danger.
What is the purpose of canaries?
Canaries were iconically used in coal mines to detect the presence of carbon monoxide. The bird’s rapid breathing rate, small size, and high metabolism, compared to the miners, led birds in dangerous mines to succumb before the miners, thereby giving them time to take action.
Are canaries still used in coal mines?
What is the synonym of indicator?
measure, gauge, barometer, index, mark, sign, signal. guide to. standard, touchstone, yardstick, benchmark, criterion, point of reference, guideline, test, litmus test. 2’the depth indicator is calibrated in metres’
What does the expression “canary in a coal mine” mean?
” Canary in a coal mine” is a metaphor about providing advance notice or warning of potential danger. Origin: The expression dates back to 1911 when the concept of having a canary as an early detection system for hazardous gases in coal mines was introduced by John Scott Haldane in Great Britain.
Who brought the Canary into the coal mine?
The idea of placing a canary or other warm blooded animal in a mine to detect carbon monoxide was first proposed by John Scott Haldane , in 1913 or later. Well into the 20th century, coal miners brought canaries into coal mines as an early-warning signal for toxic gases, primarily carbon monoxide.
What does the term “the Canary in the mine” mean?
The phrase a, or the, canary in a, or the, (coal) mine denotes an early indicator of potential danger or failure . It refers to the former practice of taking live canaries into coal mines to test for the presence of toxic gases, particularly carbon monoxide, the illness or death of the canaries serving as an indication that such gases were present.
What is a canary used for in mining?
Canaries were iconically used in coal mines to detect the presence of carbon monoxide. The bird’s rapid breathing rate, small size, and high metabolism, compared to the miners, led birds in dangerous mines to succumb before the miners, thereby giving them time to take action.