- strut (v.)
- "walk in a vain, important manner," O.E. strutian "to stand out stiffly," from P.Gmc. *strut- (cf. Dan. strutte, Ger. strotzen "to be puffed up, be swelled," Ger. Strauß "fight"), from PIE base *ster- "strong, firm, stiff, rigid" (see sterile). Originally of the air or the attitude; modern sense, focused on the walk, first recorded 1518. Cognate with O.E. ðrutung "anger, arrogance" (see throat). To strut (one's) stuff is black slang, first recorded 1926, from strut as the name of a dance popular from c.1900.
- strut (n.)
- "supporting brace," 1587, perhaps from strut (v.), or a cognate word in O.N. or Low Ger. (cf. Low Ger. strutt "rigid"); ultimately from P.Gmc. *strutoz-, from root *strut- (see strut (v.)).