Lollop Meaning: Definition and Examples
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lollop
[ˈlɒləp ]
Definition
movement, playful
To lollop is to move or run with a bounding or clumsy gait. It often implies a sense of playfulness or carelessness in locomotion.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The dog lolloped across the yard, chasing after the ball.
- They lolloped down the hill, laughing with joy.
- Children lollop around the playground in their carefree manner.
Interesting Facts
Literature
- In children's literature, characters like playful animals often 'lollop' across the pages, adding a sense of joy and liveliness.
- Writers use the word to evoke imagery of carefree movement, emphasizing a joyful or silly atmosphere.
- This term appeared in classic British literature, showcasing its cultural ties to playful, whimsical narratives.
Physical Activity
- Lolloping can describe the way certain animals, like kangaroos or rabbits, move, highlighting their unique locomotion.
- It's often associated with relaxation and enjoyment, reflecting movements that are easy-going rather than rigorous.
- The term is sometimes used in fitness to describe playful or less serious types of exercise, like dancing.
Pop Culture
- The word 'lollop' is occasionally used in children's cartoons to depict joyous characters bouncing around.
- In music, artists evoke the sense of lolloping in descriptions of carefree or upbeat songs that inspire dancing.
- Movies featuring playful pets often incorporate scenes that showcase them lolloping, endearing to audiences of all ages.
Origin of 'lollop'
Main points about word origin
- The word originated in the early 19th century, likely from the dialectal term 'lollop', describing a clumsy or bounding movement.
- Its exact roots might include the Old English word 'lollian', meaning to hang or droop.
- Similar terms were used in regional dialects, showing how language evolves through local usage.
The word 'lollop' is believed to have originated in the early 19th century as a colloquial term in British English. The exact etymology is unclear, but it likely combines the word 'loll,' which means to move in a lazy or relaxed manner, with a playful connotation. It captures the essence of a loose, bouncy movement that can be both whimsical and carefree. Over time, 'lollop' has been used to describe not just physical movement, but also a carefree attitude, especially in children and animals, reflecting a sense of joy and exuberance.
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #42,988, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.