Definition of kick up

The phrase "kick up" originated from the old English term "cygan" which referred to a group of wandering musicians, singers, and dancers known as "gypsies". During their performances, they would often sing and dance in a frenzy, kicking up clouds of dust and debris. The term "kick up" gradually came to describe any activity that caused an energetic disturbance or commotion, such as when birds kicked up a fuss by creating a stir in the air with their wings. The phrase has been used in various contexts over time, including to describe when animals or objects were disturbed or lifted into the air, and eventually it came to mean raising or starting something actively, as in the phrase "kick up a plan" or "kick up a storm." The expression has evolved through Scottish English language during the early 18th century, where it was commonly used to describe any energetic action or commotion. From Scotland, the expression migrated to the American West, where it came to refer to reinforcing the bottom of wagon wheels by adding wood, thus preventing the wheel from digging into the soft earth and "kicking up" dirt and impeding forward movement. Today, "kick up" is commonly used in everyday language to describe actively and energetically starting or raising something. In summary, the phrase "kick up" has its roots in the old English term "cygan," where it referred to the energetic performance of wandering musicians, singers, and dancers. It has evolved through time, retaining its original meaning but also acquiring new meanings to describe various types of commotion, disturbance, and energetic action.