With Hurricane Irma barreling into Florida, all of us are being told to hunker down. But where did the phrase originate?
With Hurricane Irma barreling into Florida, all of us are being told to hunker down.
We know what people mean when they say it — get somewhere safe, plan to be there for a while, etc.
But where did the phrase originate?
We can all agree that “hunker” is a word we never use except with the word “down, ” and almost exclusively use in Florida when a storm approaches.
Apparently to hunker means to squat — basically to bend your butt down to your heels. The Oxford English Dictionary says its origin is “early 18th century: probably related to Dutch huiken and German hocken, ” which generally translate as “to squat.”
Hurricane Irma made landfall in the lower Keys on Sunday morning as a Category 4 storm as it heads up Florida’s west coast after tearing through the Caribbean this week.
There is a hurricane drinking game called “Hunker Down.” Each time someone on TV says “hunker down” during storm coverage, you take a shot.
Based on how often we are hearing it, we don’ t recommend that game.
But please, hunker down and stay safe.
See pictures as Orlando residents and others across Central Florida prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Irma.
