swagger etymology

Etymology and Meaning

The word "swagger" has its origins in the Middle English word "swaggere," which meant "to sway or swing."

Origin

The term "swagger" initially referred to the swaying or swinging of the body, especially as a display of arrogance or swaggering behavior. Over time, its meaning evolved to denote a broader range of confident and often boastful attitudes and actions:

• 14th Century: Used to describe a person's proud or arrogant gait.
• 15th Century: Extended to include boasting or bragging.
• 16th Century: Used as a verb to describe the action of swinging or swaggering.
• 17th Century: Became synonymous with pompous or boastful behavior.
• 18th Century: Associated with self-confidence and an air of authority.
• 19th Century: Expanded to encompass a sense of style and coolness.

Current Usage

Today, "swagger" can refer to:

• A confident and assertive demeanor.
• A boastful or arrogant attitude.
• A sense of style and confidence.
• A swaggering walk or movement.
• The distinctive style or appearance of a person or group.

swagger relate terms

• swag

  Etymology The word swag derives from the Middle English word swagger which was used

• swing

  Etymology The word swing has its origins in the Old Norse word svifta which means

• swaggerer

  Etymology Origin Late Middle English originally as a noun meaning bully Derivation

• swagger

  Etymology and Meaning The word swagger has its origins in the Middle English word swag

• swank

  Etymology and Meaning The word swank is derived from the German word schwank meaning

• swing

  Etymology The word swing has its origins in the Old Norse word svifta which means

• swagger

  Etymology and Meaning The word swagger has its origins in the Middle English word swag

• ruffle

  Origin and Etymology of Ruffle The word ruffle originated in the late 15th century fr

• prance

  Etymology The word prance derives from the Middle English word praunsen which ultima

• strut

  Etymology Middle English strutte from Old English strutian to rove about ramble G

• roister

  Etymology Middle English roisteren from Anglo French royster from Old French roistrer

• itinerant

  Etymology The word itinerant originates from the Latin word iter meaning a journey o

• sashay

• swash

  Etymology The word swash has multiple etymological origins Old English swæscan

• gait

  Etymology The word gait comes from the Middle English word gat which is itself deriv

• palaver

  Etymology The word palaver comes from the Portuguese word palavra which means word