walk | Search Online Etymology Dictionary

219 entries found.

"periodic migration by a westernized Aboriginal into the bush," 1828, Australian English, from walk (v.) + about.

also space-walk, 1965, from space (n.) + walk (n.).

one who walks barefoot over hot coals without injury, as an entertainment, etc., 1895, from fire (n.) + agent noun from walk (v.). Related: Fire-walking.

crosswalk (n.)

also cross-walk, 1744 a type of garden path that crosses others; 1853 as "pedestrian crossing," from cross- + walk (n.).

boardwalk (n.)

"walkway made of boards," 1864, American English, from board (n.1) + walk (n.). As a seaside attraction from 1881, first in reference to Atlantic City, N.J.

walk-over (n.)

"easy victory," 1838, such as one that happens in the absence of competitors, when the solitary starter, being obliged to complete the event, can traverse the course at a walk. Transferred sense of "anything accomplished with great ease" is attested from 1902. To walk (all) over (someone) "treat with contempt" is from 1851.

moonwalk (n.)

1966, "a walking on the moon," from moon (n.) + walk (n.). As a dance move in which the dancer moves backward while appearing to walk forward it was popularized 1983 by Michael Jackson.

catwalk (n.)

1874, "long, narrow footway," from cat (n.) + walk (n.); in reference to such narrowness of passage that one has to cross as a cat walks. Originally especially of ships and theatrical back-stages; application to fashion show runways is by 1942.

sidewalk (n.)

"path for pedestrians on the side of a street," 1721, from side (adj.) + walk (n.). The use of sidewalk for pavement as one of the characteristic differences between American and British English has been noted at least since 1902.

walking (adj.)

c. 1400, present-participle adjective from walk (v.). Walking sickness, one in which the sufferer is able to get about and is not bed-ridden, is from 1846. Walking wounded is recorded from 1917. Walking bass is attested from 1939 in jazz slang. Walking stick is recorded from 1570s; the insect so called from 1760, for resemblance of shape.

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