Definition of the word skim off

The phrase "skim off" originated from the process of separating a liquid's denser components through skimming. In the majority of liquids, heavier elements accumulate at the bottom while lighter ones rise to the surface. Skimming involves removing the lighter elements from the surface, preventing them from further dilution by the denser material that follows. Over time, this process leads to an increase in the concentration of the denser components, leading to a more concentrated liquid. The phrase "skim off" has its roots in this process and refers to separating or removing the lighter elements from the top layer of a liquid. Over time, the expression has evolved to describe other contexts where lighter or immaterial components are being removed. In financial institutions, for example, "skim off" is slang for taking profits before costs are deducted. In cooking, "skim off" refers to separating a liquid's impurities, such as fat, from the surface. In summary, the phrase "skim off" originated from the literal meaning of removing a liquid's lighter components from the top layer through skimming. Over time, it has become a versatile expression used to describe the separation or removal of immaterial elements in various contexts.