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Previous Thread Next Thread Print Thread Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 akimbo #170384 10/04/07 08:04 PM Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,295 Netherlands, the Hague BranShea OP Carpal Tunnel OP BranShea Carpal Tunnel Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,295 Netherlands, the Hague This word: akimbo, kept buzzing since a few weeks ago some people and I talked about it.We assumed at first that it had to do with Eastern martial arts. I thought it might be Finn's.But it proves to be of Skandinavian, Icelandic origin, And it is not clear whether it's only arms on hips ,or set in a bent position, legs involved. Sometimes it is referred to as standing the cowboy way (high noon),two guns at hip heights. Does one of the linguists know more of this word than the somewhat contradictory dictionaries give? Webster:'s Online Dictionary: Akimbo Adjective 1. (used of arms and legs) bent outward with the joint away from the body; "a tailor sitting with legs akimbo"; "stood with arms akimbo". Adverb 1. With hands on hips and elbows extending outward; "she stood there akimbo". Source: WordNet. Date "akimbo" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1812. Etymology unknown. Compare to Kimbo.]. (Websters 1913 Encarta: a·kim·bo adjective, adverb Definition: 1. with hands on hips: with the hands on the hips and the elbows turned outward 2. arched: bent or arched [14th century. Origin ?] Merriam Webster: akimbo Etymology: Middle English in kenebowe 1 : having the hand on the hip and the elbow turned outward 2 : set in a bent position <a tailor sitting with legs akimbo> Online Ethymology: akimbo c.1400, in kenebowe, perhaps from phrase in keen bow "at a sharp angle," or from a Scand. word akin to Icelandic kengboginn "bow-bent." Many languages use a teapot metaphor for this, such as Fr. faire le pot a deux anses "to play the pot with two handles." Last edited by BranShea; 10/04/07 08:16 PM. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: akimbo BranShea #170386 10/04/07 08:17 PM Joined: Apr 2000 Posts: 10,542 this too shall pass tsuwm Carpal Tunnel tsuwm Carpal Tunnel Joined: Apr 2000 Posts: 10,542 this too shall pass I don't see much difference in those def'ns; they all seem to allow arms OR legs for one sense, and hands on hips for another. I don't think I've ever actually heard it spoken or read it except in reference to arms, as "she scolded him with arms akimbo," and certainly never without limbs attached! -joe (slouching akimbo) friday Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: akimbo tsuwm #170389 10/04/07 08:26 PM Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,295 Netherlands, the Hague BranShea OP Carpal Tunnel OP BranShea Carpal Tunnel Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,295 Netherlands, the Hague That's true, only slightly different, but for an old English word it seems so un-English. Akimbo. I would think it Japanese or anyway from the far East. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: akimbo BranShea #170393 10/04/07 09:57 PM Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 557 Dallas, TX M Myridon addict Myridon addict M Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 557 Dallas, TX Would "fixing" the spelling help? Astride the rainbow with arms akinbow bearing a flambeau. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: akimbo Myridon #170394 10/04/07 10:32 PM Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,295 Netherlands, the Hague BranShea OP Carpal Tunnel OP BranShea Carpal Tunnel Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,295 Netherlands, the Hague Ha!LOL! Well fixed! Mostly English now. I guess the flamebow must be headwear, unless the rainbow rider is a four armed creature. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: akimbo BranShea #170397 10/05/07 12:17 AM Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 13,803 Faldage Carpal Tunnel Faldage Carpal Tunnel Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 13,803 Only time I've heard "legs akimbo" was in a Firesign Theater routine and I think they were doing it with humorous intent. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: akimbo Faldage #170425 10/05/07 05:27 PM Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 557 Dallas, TX M Myridon addict Myridon addict M Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 557 Dallas, TX Picture the base of the torch in your hand near your hip while the staff is cradled in the crook of your elbow which is out from your body at an angle. (I just stuck that in for another non-English spelling. I didn't mean for you to try it at home.) Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: akimbo Myridon #170430 10/05/07 06:13 PM Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,295 Netherlands, the Hague BranShea OP Carpal Tunnel OP BranShea Carpal Tunnel Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,295 Netherlands, the Hague Ha! I like the image.(big smile) You mind if I run to the flambeau shop tomorrow and buy one? I think I wanna practice anyway. (will figure out the rainbow part later) Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: akimbo Faldage #170436 10/05/07 07:43 PM Joined: May 2005 Posts: 456 SE US Aramis addict Aramis addict Joined: May 2005 Posts: 456 SE US There was a 'Legs Akimbo' [a girlie] character in a comic strip, but cannot remember the name of it. ÅΓª╥┐↕§ Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: akimbo Aramis #170437 10/05/07 08:16 PM Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 557 Dallas, TX M Myridon addict Myridon addict M Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 557 Dallas, TX Legz Akimbo is the name of the traveling theater company in "The League of Gentlemen" comedy series (BBC). Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 Moderated by  Jackie  Hop To General Topics ------  Information and announcements  Q&A about words  Wordplay and fun  Words and languages in schools  Miscellany  Weekly Themes  Looking for (writers, speakers,... (Old) Weekly themes. 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