Nudges
/nʌdʒɪz/noun
Third-person singular present of nudge, meaning to prod or push gently.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from a Scandinavian root meaning to push or strike, and today it’s used in behavioral science for subtle influence—proof that language can turn a physical shove into a mind game.
Etymological Timeline
Old Norse
ON
hnjóta
“to strike, hit, or knock”
Middle English
ME
noggen / nudgeon
“to push or strike lightly”
16th Century
English
nudge
“to push gently or with the elbow”
Modern English
English
nudge
“to prod or influence subtly”
Modern English
English
nudges
“pushes or subtly influences”