dog paddle

¹ American  

noun

1. a simple swimming stroke mainly used to stay afloat while remaining almost stationary in the water, executed by paddling both arms underwater while kicking the legs, with the body in a crouching position and the head above water.

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dog-paddle ² American  

[dawg-pad-l, dog-] / ˈdɔgˌpæd l, ˈdɒg- /

verb (used without object)

dog-paddled, dog-paddling

1. to swim or keep afloat by use of the dog paddle.

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dog paddle British  

noun

1. another name for doggy paddle

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Etymology

Origin of dog paddle¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Origin of dog-paddle²

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

“They can dog paddle, if you will, but any uptick in unemployment or worsening of the economy could drive a pretty significant spike in defaults.”

From Seattle Times • Mar. 24, 2024

Some wear their fatigues inside out, identifying them as Marines who are just learning to swim and flailing the length of the pool in a mix of dog paddle and haphazard overhand stroke.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 8, 2023

An unusual aquatic center inside a suburban Maryland strip mall has five narrow pools and several swimmers of varying abilities, but only one stroke: the dog paddle.

From Washington Post • Mar. 6, 2018

Beth and Ivan are trying to swim, or at least are managing to tread water, while Roger can barely dog paddle his way out of the shallow end of his brother’s pool.

From New York Times • Mar. 18, 2010

I know how to float how to dog paddle how to hold my breath between breaststrokes.

From "Bronx Masquerade" by Nikki Grimes

Related Words

• bathe
• crawl
• dive
• float
• glide
• paddle
• submerge
• wade