stymie etymology

Etymology:

The word "stymie" comes from the Middle English term "stymye," which means "to hinder or impede." It is believed to have originated from the Anglo-Norman French word "estomier," meaning "to estimate or fix a price."

Meaning:

In its modern usage, "stymie" primarily refers to an obstacle or impediment that prevents progress or success. It can be used in a variety of contexts, including:

  • Golf: In golf, a stymie occurs when one player's ball blocks the path of another player's ball on the putting green.
  • Figurative: In general terms, a stymie can represent any hindrance or barrier that prevents someone from achieving their goals.

Origin:

The earliest known use of the term "stymie" in golf dates back to the 19th century. It is likely that the word was adopted from its original Middle English meaning, which referred to the estimation or fixing of a price. In golf, the term "stymie" may have been chosen to describe a situation where one player's ball prevents another player from making an easy shot, effectively "impeding" their progress towards the hole.

Over time, the word "stymie" has expanded in its usage beyond golf to encompass any type of obstacle or hindrance. It is often used in a figurative sense to describe challenges or difficulties that impede progress in various areas of life.

stymie relate terms

  • obstruct

    Etymology The word obstruct comes from the Latin word obstruere which means to bloc

  • block

    Etymology The word block has two distinct etymologies Germanic origin From Middle

  • hinder

    Etymology The word hinder comes from the Old English word hindrian meaning to obst

  • prevent

    Etymology Prevent comes from the Middle French prévenir from the Latin praevenire a

  • stonewall

    Etymology The term Stonewall has its origins in the name of Thomas Stonewall Jackson

  • forbid

    Etymology Old English forbeodan from Proto West Germanic farbaudan from Proto Ger

  • obstruction

    Etymology The word obstruction comes from the Latin word obstruere meaning to bloc

  • obstacle

    Etymology The word obstacle comes from the Old French word obestacle which in turn

  • situation

    Etymology Latin situātiō n Origin situation position placement Meaning A

  • foreclose

    Etymology The word foreclose comes from the Middle English word forclosen which in t