Definition of hitch

The origin of the word "hitch" can be traced back to the Middle English term "hicche," which appeared in the 14th century. At that time, the word "hicche" was primarily used to describe a sudden stop or catch in breathing, as in the phrase "to have the hiccups." However, by the 15th century, the meaning of the word began to shift. It came to be associated with a device that allowed a horse to pull a heavy load, such as a cart or carriage. The Oxford English Dictionary defines this early sense of the word as "a contrivance for dragging a weight after a horse, consisting of a pole with a ring at each end, into which the horns of an ox, or the like." Over time, the meaning of "hitch" began to expand to encompass other uses. In the late 16th century, it was used to describe the act of catching a ride on a horse-drawn carriage, wagon or cart. The sense of the word then broadened to include any kind of transportation, such as trains, cars, or boats. Today, "hitch" is a versatile word with a variety of meanings. It can refer to the act of trying to catch a ride (as in "hitchhiking"), the act of fastening something (as in "hitching up your pants"), or the act of holding something in place (as in "hitching the tarpaulin to the roof rack"). The word's origins are still visible in these contemporary uses, linking back to its Medieval past, when it was used to describe a device that allowed heavy loads to be pulled by horses.