Flounder
/ˈflaʊn.dər/noun
To struggle awkwardly or move clumsily; also, a flatfish.
Did you know?The verb sense likely arose from the image of a floundering fish thrashing awkwardly, and its exact origin is uncertain enough that dictionaries still label parts of its history as obscure.
Etymological Timeline
Late Middle English
English
flaundre
“a flatfish; later, to move or act awkwardly”
16th Century
English
flounder
“to struggle or move clumsily, as if thrashing like a fish”
Modern English
English
flounder
“to struggle in confusion or make clumsy, ineffective progress”
Late Middle English
English
flounder
“a flatfish”