gawky etymology

Etymology

• Middle English "gawky," from Middle Dutch "gauck" (awkward) or Old Norse "gaukr" (fool).

Meaning

• Awkward, ungainly, or clumsy in movement or manner.

Origin

The word "gawky" first appeared in the English language in the mid-1500s, borrowed from the Middle Dutch or Old Norse terms. It is believed that these terms originally referred to a foolish or clumsy person. Over time, the meaning of "gawky" shifted to describe someone who is awkward or ungainly in their physical movements or mannerisms.

The word may also be related to the Old English word "geoc" (cuckoo), which was sometimes used to refer to a clumsy or foolish person.

gawky relate terms

• gawk

  Etymology The word gawk is of onomatopoeic origin derived from the sound made by a per

• favor

  Etymology The word favor originates from the Old French word faveur which in turn co

• gawky

  Etymology Middle English gawky from Middle Dutch gauck awkward or Old Norse gauk

• gowk

  Etymology of Gowk The word gowk has its origins in the Old English word gēac whic

• geek

  Etymology The word geek is thought to have originated from the Middle Dutch word geck

• clumsy

  Etymology The word clumsy is derived from the Middle English word clomsed which mea

• ungainly

  Etymology Origin Middle English ungaynly c 1300 Meaning clumsy or unwieldy D

• unwieldy

  Etymology Old English unwieldy Proto Germanic unwaldigaz Proto Indo European uel

• gibbous

  Etymology The word gibbous comes from the Latin word gibbosus meaning humped or b

• hand

  Etymology The word hand comes from the Old English word hand which is itself derive

• assiduous

  Etymology Latin assiduus constant diligent Proto Indo European h₂ses to se

• nuance

  Etymology Late Middle English from Old French nuance from Medieval Latin nuantia fro

• grammar

  Grammar Etymology From Old French grammaire from Medieval Latin grammatica borrowed f

• liturgy

  Etymology Liturgy is derived from two Greek words Leitos meaning public or com