Wallow
/ˈwɒl.oʊ/noun
To roll about or lie in mud, water, or something unpleasant; to indulge oneself in a state of emotion or condition.
Did you know?The word is ultimately tied to an ancient Germanic root meaning “to turn or roll,” which is why it still carries that heavy, helpless sense of being trapped in motion.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wel-
“to turn, roll, or wind”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*wallōn / *wallōjan
“to roll about, wallow”
Old English
OE
wealwian
“to roll, toss about”
Middle English
ME
wallen / wallowen
“to roll about in mud or water; to move clumsily”
Modern English
English
wallow
“to roll about in a dirty or wet place; to indulge in self-pity or pleasure”