Definition of stumble across

The origin of the phrase "stumble across" can be traced back to the mid-1800s, when it first appeared as "stumble over" in the form of "stumble over a thing" in Samuel Butler's satirical novel "Hudibras" (1663-1678) written in the late 17th century. In the text, it was used in a literal sense, indicating a physical movement of accidentally knocking into something in one's path. Over time, the phrase evolved to take on a figurative meaning, depicting a less intended but equally serendipitous encounter with something unexpected. The term's usage expanded in the mid-19th century, as the American author, Willa Cather (1873-1947), used the phrase in her writings in a way that redefined it as "stumble upon". This change reflected the growing importance of the idea of chance discovery in the overall Western culture. Since then, "stumble across" has become a well-known idiom, popularly used to describe an unexpected and unplanned discovery that seems to have occurred by accident. It continues to be a vital part of the English language today, with its origins serving as a fascinating insight into the evolution of words and phrases. In summary, the phrase "stumble across" originated in the mid-1800s as a literal expression, evolved to a figurative term, and has since then, become part of the English language's lexicon, used to explain those fortunate occurrences that seem to be beyond our control and intent.