Mignon Fogarty's Blog: Mignon Fogarty's Blog - Posts Tagged "usage"
Hunkering
I haven't been tweeting much the last couple of days because my tweets seem insignificant with Sandy bearing down on my East Coast friends.
However, I answer questions when I can, and Stuart asked, "@GrammarGirl considering rash of natural disasters (earthquakes, tsunamis and hurricanes), Could you explain the correct use of 'hunkered'?"
Hunkering Down
You're most likely to hear "hunker" followed by the word "down," especially when someone is talking about preparing for a natural disaster.
When you're hunkering down, you're preparing to spend a long time somewhere.
Etymology entries say "hunker" probably comes from an Old Norse verb that meant "squat."
For the full definitions and and other uses, see the entries at American Heritage, Dictionary.com, or Merriam-Webster.
However, I answer questions when I can, and Stuart asked, "@GrammarGirl considering rash of natural disasters (earthquakes, tsunamis and hurricanes), Could you explain the correct use of 'hunkered'?"
Hunkering Down
You're most likely to hear "hunker" followed by the word "down," especially when someone is talking about preparing for a natural disaster.
We're hunkered down in the panic room.
Bob hunkered down in the bar.
When you're hunkering down, you're preparing to spend a long time somewhere.
Etymology entries say "hunker" probably comes from an Old Norse verb that meant "squat."
For the full definitions and and other uses, see the entries at American Heritage, Dictionary.com, or Merriam-Webster.
