Wallowing
/ˈwɒl.əʊ.ɪŋ/noun
Rolling, lying, or indulging deeply in something, especially mud, grief, or self-pity.
Did you know?The word originally described animals rolling in mud, and its modern sense of lingering in grief or self-pity developed from that vivid image of deliberate immersion.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wel-
“To turn, roll, or revolve; a reconstructed root associated with circular motion.”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*walwōjaną
“To roll, toss, or turn over.”
Old English
Old English
wealwian
“To roll, toss, or wallow.”
Middle English
Middle English
walwen
“To roll about, especially in mud or filth.”
16th Century
English
wallow
“To roll or lie in mud; later, to indulge in an emotion or condition.”
Modern English
English
wallowing
“Rolling about or lingering excessively in a physical, emotional, or mental state.”