Truckle Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
🤝
truckle
[ˈtrʌk.əl ]
Definition
submission, yielding
To truckle means to submit to someone else's authority or to yield in a way that is servile. It often indicates a sense of obsequiousness or excessive willingness to please. This behavior can be seen in hierarchical relationships where one party is clearly subordinate and shows a lack of independence in their actions or decisions. Originally used in the late 17th century, it conveys a sense of hyper-compliance or ingratiating behavior.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He truckled to his boss to gain favor.
- She feared that if she truckled too much, she would lose her own identity.
- Some people truckle to their peers instead of standing up for their beliefs.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Submissive behavior can often arise from feelings of inferiority, where individuals feel compelled to please others.
- People may truckle to avoid conflict or rejection, seeking acceptance by bending to others' demands.
- Understanding the psychological roots of such behavior can lead to better interpersonal dynamics and self-esteem.
Literature
- In 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn', characters often exhibit truckling behavior toward authority, highlighting moral conflicts.
- Charles Dickens's characters sometimes showcase truckling as a means of satire, exposing social hierarchies.
- The word is less common in modern literature but serves as a powerful device in historical texts to show class dynamics.
Pop Culture
- In comedy sketches, characters may truckle humorously, bending over backward to please someone, often leading to awkward situations.
- Truckle has appeared in political commentary to describe those who uncritically support authority figures.
- Several TV shows use truckling figures to illustrate comedic subservience, providing social commentary on human behavior.
Sociology
- Truckle behavior can reflect broader societal structures, where certain groups feel pressured to conform or submit.
- Cultural norms often dictate when and how individuals truckle, influencing group dynamics and leadership.
- Identifying such behaviors can lead to discussions about power dynamics in various settings, from workplaces to friendships.
Origin of 'truckle'
Main points about word origin
- Derived from the Middle English word 'trucklen', meaning to crouch or cringe.
- Related to 'truck', an old word for a small wheel or trundle, hinting at movement or bending down.
- In contemporary usage, it evolved to signify a manner of servility or subservience.
The word 'truckle' originates from the late Middle English period, derived from the Old French word 'troque,' which means to roll or turn over. Its evolution is linked to the Latin 'trochus,' meaning wheel or disk. Initially, it referred to a small wheel or roller, and over time it began to take on the meaning of yielding or submitting, much like rolling over. The shift in its usage reflects the social dynamics of the period, where subservience and dependency were often required for survival in various hierarchies. The development of the term captures both the physical action of rolling and the metaphorical implication of bending or yielding under pressure, solidifying its place in modern English as a term for submissive behavior.