wiggle

Where does the word "wiggle" come from? It comes from Dutch wigelen, passing through Middle English before entering English (1816 onward).

Wiggle’s story begins in Dutch: wigelen meant “to rock, sway back and forth.” A repeated-action form of 'wiegen', to rock, itself from 'wiege' (cradle). By c. 1200, the word had taken hold in Middle English as wiglen. Borrowed for unsteady, rocking motion. It reached English by 1816 onward as wiggle. Settled into its modern spelling once used as a noun for the motion itself. Today, wiggle means to move with small quick side-to-side movements.

1. Stage 1 · Dutch · medieval wigelen "to rock, sway back and forth", a repeated-action form of 'wiegen', to rock, itself from 'wiege' (cradle).
2. Stage 2 · Middle English · c. 1200 wiglen "to move unsteadily from side to side", borrowed for unsteady, rocking motion.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1816 onward wiggle "to move with short, quick, irregular movements", settled into its modern spelling once used as a noun for the motion itself.