hunt and peck

or hunt-and-peck

noun

1. a slow and inefficient method of typing by looking for each key separately before striking it: used by untrained typists.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hunt and peck¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Washington started at its own 14 with 5:34 remaining and began to hunt and peck its way down the field.

From Seattle Times

We know he’s a tremendous talent at quarterback, so we’ll have to hunt and peck and make adjustments.”

From Washington Times

With a hunt and peck at the keyboard, he exercised some editorial license and added: “You can do it. I love you.”

From New York Times

I just kind of hunt and peck now.

From Salon

Héloïse, recently plucked from a convent to be married off, has only ever heard organ music; Marianne can hunt and peck her way through Vivaldi on a harpsichord, but that’s about it.

From Slate

Related Words

• copy
• transcribe
• write