mid-14c., of imitative origin; possibly related to snyvelen (see snivel). As an expression of scorn or contempt from 1729. As a synonym for smell (v.) it dates from 1845. In reference to cocaine from 1925. Related: Sniffed; sniffing.
sniff (n.)
1767, from sniff (v.); the scornful sense is from 1859.
例文
1. Have the Press got a sniff yet?
ジャーナリズム界は少しニュースを嗅いだか?
2.Take a sniff at everything and distinguish the good from the bad.
どんなものに対しても鼻で嗅いで、善し悪しを鑑別しなければならない。
3.Have a sniff of this medicine-It 'smells revolting,doesn 't it?
この薬を嗅いでみてください。吐き気がする味がしますよね。
4.But really,what harm could it possibly dow to pop down there and just sniff around?
でも本当のことを言うと、すぐにそこに駆けつけて状況を探るとどんなデメリットがあるのでしょうか。
5.Highbrow critics sniff that the programme was "too sophisticated "to appeal to most viewers.