Dirt

Dirt is anything people think is unclean, especially when it gets on our clothes, skin, or things we own. When this happens, we say something is dirty. There are many kinds of dirt all around us.

One common type of dirt is debris, which are scattered pieces of waste or remains. Another is dust, a fine powder made from both natural and mineral stuff. Filth is foul matter, such as excrement. Grime is a kind of black, stuck-on dirt like soot. And soil is the mix of clay, sand, and humus that sits on top of bedrock. Sometimes, the word "soil" is used to talk about unwanted dirt that gets on surfaces like clothing.

Etymology

The word dirt started being used in Middle English. It probably came from an old Old Norse word that meant 'excrement'.

Exhibitions and studies

In 2011, the Wellcome Trust helped create artworks and exhibits about dirt. The main show was at the Wellcome Collection. It showed pictures and stories about famous dirty places, like the big dust piles at Euston and King's Cross in the 1800s, and the Fresh Kills landfill, which was once the world's largest landfill.

Cleaning

When things get dirty, we clean them using special liquids like hard surface cleaner. At home, we spend time washing and sweeping to keep things tidy.

In places like restaurants, looking dirty can make people not want to visit. Dirt can be different types: temporary dirt can be cleaned each day, permanent dirt needs big fixes to remove, and deliberate dirt is when someone chooses a messy style on purpose.

Disposal

As cities grew, they needed ways to handle trash. In the United Kingdom, a law from 1875 required homes to put their waste in containers that could be moved and taken away. This was the first time the dustbin was created by law.

Health

Today, people live in cleaner places. Some scientists think that not having enough dirt when we are young might lead to health problems like allergies and asthma. Our bodies need to be active to stay healthy, and being around dirt can help this happen. For example, tiny germs on our skin can help our bodies know how to react when we get hurt.

Even when things look clean, they can still have tiny germs. For example, computer keyboards often have more germs than toilet seats. Sometimes, people and animals might eat dirt because they need more minerals, especially pregnant women.

Neurosis

Some people may become very focused on dirt and have strong feelings about it. They might even feel the need to play with mud, like making mud pies. Scientists think this might happen because many people feel a strong reaction called disgust, and there could be a special part of the brain that handles these feelings.