quicksand etymology

Etymology:

  • Late 16th century: from Dutch kwicksand or German Quicksand, from quick ("living, moving") + sand.

Meaning:

  • Sand that becomes semifluid when wet and engulfs objects.
  • A difficult or dangerous situation that traps the unwary.

Origin:

  • The term "quicksand" was first used in the 16th century to describe the treacherous sand found in coastal areas and along riverbanks.
  • These areas often experience tidal surges or heavy rainfall, which saturates the sand and causes it to become unstable.
  • The resulting mixture of sand and water resembles a dense liquid that can easily trap and engulf objects.
  • The term "quick" in this context refers to the sudden and unpredictable movement of the sand, which can make it difficult to escape.

quicksand relate terms

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