Hustling
/ˈhʌs.lɪŋ/noun
The act of moving or acting quickly and energetically, often with pushy determination or with a side hustle for money.
Did you know?The word likely came into English from a Dutch verb meaning “to shake or toss,” so the modern “grind” vibe hides an older image of violent motion, not ambition.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*keu-
“to shake, move violently”
Middle Dutch
Dutch
husselen
“to shake, toss, or jostle”
Early Modern English
English
hustle
“to shake or push roughly; to jostle”
19th Century
English
hustle
“to move energetically, to push for advantage, especially in a busy or deceptive way”
Modern English
English
hustling
“moving or working energetically, especially in pursuit of money or success”