galumph

American  

[guh-luhmf] / gəˈlʌmf /

verb (used without object)

1. to move along heavily and clumsily.

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galumph British  

/ -ˈlʌmf, ɡəˈlʌmpf /

verb

1. informal (intr) to leap or move about clumsily or joyfully

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Etymology

Origin of galumph

1872; phonesthemic invention of Lewis Carroll, perhaps blend of gallop and triumphant

Explanation

To galumph is to move in a heavy, clumsy, ungainly way. Ballerinas are unlikely to galumph. Lewis Carroll's poem Jabberwocky introduced many colorful words to English, including this one: "He left it dead, and with its head / He went galumphing back." Originally, galumphing had more of a sense of joy to it, but over time, this word has come to mean only heavy, labored moving. An enormous defensive lineman galumphs across the field. Elephants galumph. Someone struggling to carry bags is galumphing. This word refers to movements that are neither quick nor graceful.

Example Sentences

The episode's party-fouling crime of passion happens during a confusing galumph that's occasionally punctuated by everyone throwing up a hand while yelling, "Hey!"

From Salon • Sep. 19, 2022

Chances are some jovial galumph that resembles Macdonald has been a part of your life at some point.

From Salon • Sep. 12, 2018

Scalia’ll reprove ya With some jurisprudential effluvia, Then, with scowling harrumph And a baleful galumph, He’ll trudge homeward to Antediluvia.

From Washington Post • Sep. 9, 2015

Mr. Zaks puts the human characters on stilts to foster a dog’s-eye view, forcing the actors to galumph around precariously and use their arms for balance, like Frankenstein creations fresh from the lab.

From New York Times • Apr. 11, 2010

For Banjo, directly he felt his master on his back, began to galumph about the yard with a clatter of hoofs among the injured fan-tails and to the discomfiture of Maudie.

From Boy Woodburn A Story of the Sussex Downs by Ollivant, Alfred

Related Words

• plod
• shuffle
• slog
• trudge
• trundle
• waddle