hustle

Where does the word "hustle" come from? It comes from Middle Dutch husselen, and was adopted directly into English (1680s).

Hustle’s story begins in Middle Dutch: husselen meant “to shake, toss.” Related to 'hotsen', to jolt. It reached English by 1680s as hustle. First meant to shake coins in a hat for a game of chance; later, american English added 'to hurry' and 'to swindle'. Today, hustle means to push roughly; to hurry; to obtain by forceful action or deceit.

1. Stage 1 · Middle Dutch · medieval husselen "to shake, toss", related to 'hotsen', to jolt.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1680s hustle "to shake together; later to push; to con", first meant to shake coins in a hat for a game of chance; later, american English added 'to hurry' and 'to swindle'.