Definition of wriggle

The origin of the word "wriggle" can be traced back to the Middle English language during the 14th century. At that time, the word was spelled "wriggelen" and was used to describe the wiggling or twisting movement of snakes and other worm-like creatures. The term "wriggelen" is derived from the Old English word "wrig" meaning "twisted, crooked," and the Old Norse word "gla" meaning "to move, to wriggle." The Old English term, in turn, is believed to have originated from the Proto-Germanic root "wrigk-," which meant the same as "wrig" and "wriggelen." The word "wriggle" has been in use in its modern form, meaning "to twist or writhe in a narrow or confined space," since the 16th century. Its original meaning, of course, has extended beyond snakes and worms, and now it's used to describe a wide range of movements, such as the wiggling of small children trying to get out of a crib or the maneuvering of a person into a tight space like a box or suitcase. In sum, the origin of the word "wriggle" is rooted in the Middle English era and its meaning can be traced back to the Old English word "wrig" and Old Norse word "gla." It has evolved over time, but it still retains its original association with twisting and writhing despite now covering a broad range of movements beyond snakes and worms.