A security blanket

[canadalynx]

Hello.

I would like to know if "security blanket " is a well-known term in the four corners of the world?

Do the following sentences illustrate the accuracy of the usage?

1. Her smell is my security blanket. Whenever I think of her, I will spray her perfume in the room.
2. When I get nervous on stage, I will close my eyes and think of my parents for a few seconds to calm myself. They are my security blanket.
3. Having a sufficient contingency fund is my security blanket for the unpredictable economy.
4. The boy needs his security blanket when he goes to bed. Where is the bloody blanket? (Does this sentence create ambiguity?)
5. I know you think your home is a security blanket and you are in your comfort zone but you really need to get out there and socialise. This is what people do!

Thank you

 

[emsr2d2]

Hello.

I would like to know if "security blanket " is a well-known term in the four corners of the world?

Do the following sentences [STRIKE]illustrate the accuracy of the usage[/STRIKE] use the phrase correctly?

1. Her [STRIKE]smell[/STRIKE] scent is my security blanket. Whenever I think of her, I [STRIKE]will[/STRIKE] spray her perfume in the room.
2. When I get nervous on stage, I [STRIKE]will[/STRIKE] close my eyes and think of my parents for a few seconds to calm myself. They are my security blanket.
3. Having a sufficient contingency fund is my security blanket [STRIKE]for the[/STRIKE] in this/an unpredictable economy.
4. The boy needs his security blanket when he goes to bed. Where is the bloody blanket? (Does this sentence create ambiguity?)
5. I know you think your home is a security blanket and you are in your comfort zone but you really need to get out there and socialise. This is what people do!

[STRIKE]Thank you.[/STRIKE] Unnecessary. Thank us after we help you, by clicking on the "Thank" button.

Note my corrections above. They all use "security blanket" appropriately. What do you think could be ambiguous about #4?

 

[canadalynx]

Note my corrections above. They all use "security blanket" appropriately. What do you think could be ambiguous about #4?

A blanket covered with blood?

 

[probus]

A blanket covered with blood?

Highly unlikely.

To answer your first question, "security blanket" is commonly used in AmE. I'm not certain about BrE or other varieties.

 

[emsr2d2]

A blanket covered with blood?

Context is everything, as always! The situation would dictate what "Where's the bloody blanket?" means.

 

[jutfrank]

I don't think 3 is a good example. There needs to be a sense of comfort, which 3 doesn't have. It seems to be about guarding against risk. Safety and comfort are not synonymous. The kind of security we're dealing with here is an emotional security.

Example 4 is the best possible example because it's meant literally. Therefore, there's no ambiguity at all.

A blanket covered with blood?

No, bloody doesn't mean it's covered with blood! It just means the parent is annoyed with the boy.

 

[emsr2d2]

No, bloody doesn't mean it's covered with blood! It just means the parent is annoyed with the boy.

That's why I said context was important. "Bloody" can mean "covered with blood". I agree that it's very unlikely to mean that in post #1.