Paddling
/ˈpæd.əl.ɪŋ/noun
The act of moving a small boat with a paddle or of striking someone with a paddle or hand.
Did you know?Paddle is ultimately tied to a Germanic root meaning “to tread” or “to go with the feet,” which is why a word for rowing by hand carries the ancient energy of walking the water.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ped-
“foot”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*padō
“a flat implement or shovel-like object; a paddle”
Old English
OE
padel
“a paddle or oar-like tool”
Middle English
ME
paddelen
“to move with a paddle; to beat or strike repeatedly”
Modern English
English
paddling
“rowing with a paddle; striking with a paddle; moving through water by means of paddle-like strokes”
Explore more surprising origins