Pitfalling
/ˈpɪtˌfɔːlɪŋ/noun
The act of trapping or catching something in a pitfall, or of falling into a pitfall.
Did you know?Historically, pit traps were used in hunting and warfare, while the figurative sense of a “pitfall” developed from the danger of unexpectedly falling into one.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*puttjaną / *fallaną
“A pit or hollow, and to fall downward”
Old English
Old English
pytt + feallan
“A pit combined with the verb “to fall””
Middle English
Middle English
pit-falle
“A concealed hole or trap into which someone or something might fall”
16th Century
English
pitfall
“A trap made by disguising or covering a hole in the ground”
17th Century
English
pitfall
“A hidden danger or unexpected snare”
Modern English
English
pitfalling
“The act of setting or using pitfall traps, or figuratively encountering hidden dangers”