Hustle
/ˈhʌs.əl/noun
To move quickly or to work energetically, often in a busy or chaotic manner.
Did you know?The term 'hustle' once referred to 'to deceive' or 'to push someone', linking it to the world of swindling and street cunning.
Etymological Timeline
Late Middle English
English
hustlen
“To shake or jolt; to push or shove.”
16th Century
Dutch
husselen
“To shake, to jolt, often in a deceptive manner.”
17th Century
English
hustle
“To push or force, often suggesting a sense of urgency or pressure.”
19th Century
English
hustle
“To engage in energetic activity, particularly in a business or street context.”
Modern English
English
hustle
“To work hard or move quickly, often associated with entrepreneurial spirit.”
Explore more surprising origins