Duckwalking

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. A movement characterized by bending the knees and waddling like a duck while walking
2. A gait where an individual walks with their knees bent outward, mimicking a duck's walk
3. An unusual walking style involving a squatting position and waddling that resembles the locomotion of a duck

Etymology: "Duckwalking" is the present participle and gerund of "duckwalk," a compound of "duck" and "walk" that describes the awkward waddle of a duck. The image is the whole story: the walker crouches with knees bent outward and moves in short, rolling steps, reproducing the gait of the bird. The verb builds on two plain English words. "Duck" comes from Old English "dūce," related to the verb "to duck" meaning to dip or lower the head, while "walk" is an ancient Germanic word. Joining them created a descriptive term that needs no special knowledge to understand, which is probably why it has spread so easily into everyday speech.

Synonyms: waddling