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Hitchhiked Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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hitchhiked

[หˆhษชtสƒหŒhaษชkt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

traveling by car

Hitchhiked refers to the action of soliciting a ride from passing vehicles by standing on the roadside and raising one's thumb or a sign. It is typically done by travelers who do not have their own vehicle and seek to reach a destination by relying on the goodwill of drivers. This practice can be associated with adventure, spontaneity, and sometimes risks related to safety and reliability. Though it was more common in previous decades, some people continue to hitchhike today, often in remote or rural areas.

Synonyms

autostop, ride share, thumb a ride.

Examples of usage

  • He hitchhiked across the country.
  • They decided to hitchhike to the music festival.
  • After losing their car, the couple hitchhiked home.
  • He often hitchhiked during his summer travels.
  • She was not afraid to hitchhike alone.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Cultural Significance

  • Hitchhiking became popular during the Great Depression, as many sought transport while struggling financially.
  • Films like 'Easy Rider' romanticized the act of hitchhiking as a symbol of freedom and adventure in the 1960s and '70s.

Safety Considerations

  • While it can be a thrilling way to travel, hitchhiking carries risks, such as encountering unsafe individuals.
  • Modern safety apps and social media have created networks that help hitchhikers connect with trusted drivers.

Psychological Aspects

  • Engaging in hitchhiking can evoke excitement and thrill, representing a leap into the unknown and creating stories of human connection.
  • Psychological studies suggest that spontaneous decisions, like hitchhiking, can lead to increased feelings of happiness and fulfillment.

Transport Evolution

  • Hitchhiking has decreased in popularity due to rideshare apps and improved highway systems providing easier and safer travel options.
  • Despite its decline, in many cultures, hitchhiking remains a valued tradition and a way to meet new people.

Origin of 'hitchhiked'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'hitchhike' first appeared in the early 20th century, combining 'hitch' (to catch a ride) and 'hike' (to travel on foot).
  • Originally, 'hitch' referred to the act of attaching something, which evolved to mean getting a ride from someone.

The term 'hitchhike' emerged in the early 20th century, combining the words 'hitch' and 'hike.' The word 'hitch' is believed to come from the Old English 'hycgan,' which means to lift or hoist. This reflects the action of raising oneโ€™s thumb or sign to solicit a ride. The word 'hike,' originating from the 16th-century Scottish term 'hiken,' meaning 'to walk or march,' adds the context of traveling or journeying to the term. Hitchhiking became particularly popular in the 1960s and 1970s, as youth culture embraced freedom and adventure, often using it as a means to travel cheaply across vast distances. Despite its decline in popularity due to safety concerns and the rise of alternative transportation, hitchhiking remains a colloquial activity in some regions.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,833, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.