wiggle etymology

Etymology

The word "wiggle" is thought to have originated from the Old English word "waggle," which meant "to shake or move from side to side." This word, in turn, may have come from the Proto-Germanic root *wagjaną, meaning "to shake or move."

Meaning

The word "wiggle" has several related meanings:

  • To move quickly or jerkily from side to side or up and down.
  • To move something in a small, uncontrolled way.
  • To sway or shake.
  • To move in a winding or sinuous path.

Origin

The first known use of the word "wiggle" in English dates back to the 14th century. It was initially used to describe the movement of animals, particularly fish and birds. Over time, the word's meaning expanded to include the movement of humans and other objects.

Cultural Significance

The word "wiggle" has a playful and whimsical connotation. It is often used to describe the movements of children or animals, and it can also be used to describe something that is loose or unstable. The word has also been used in popular culture, such as in the children's song "Do Your Ears Hang Low?" and the character of "Wiggles the Clown."

wiggle relate terms

  • earwig

    Etymology The word earwig is derived from the Old English word earwige which litera

  • wiggle

    Etymology The word wiggle is thought to have originated from the Old English word wagg

  • polliwog

    Etymology of Polliwog The term polliwog originated in the 17th century from the Middl

  • poll

    Etymology The word poll has several etymological origins Latin capita meaning h

  • wiggle

    Etymology The word wiggle is thought to have originated from the Old English word wagg

  • joggle

    Etymology Origin Middle English jogelen from Old French jogleor ultimately from Latin

  • squirm

    Etymology Middle English skirmen from Old English scirman to writhe wriggle Pro

  • motion

    Etymology The word motion comes from the Latin word motus which means movement or

  • shake

    Etymology Middle English shaken from Old English sceacan to move to and fro violentl

  • movement

    Etymology origin of the word movement Latin movere movere Proto Indo European m

  • agitate

    Etymology Latin agitare to stir up move about drive away excite frequentative of

  • move

    Etymology The word move is derived from the Middle English muven which in turn came

  • conspicuous

    Etymology Conspicuous originates from the Latin word conspicuus which means visible

  • chivalry

    Etymology The word chivalry is derived from the Old French word chevalerie which in