Gallop and Gallup are two different words that are pronounced in the same way but are spelled differently and have different meanings. We’ll look at the definitions of gallop and Gallup, their origins, and some examples of their use in sentences.
Gallop is one of the natural gaits of a horse. In the gallop, all four hooves are off the ground at the same time during each stride. Other natural gaits of horses are the walk, the trot, the canter or lope. Any quadruped may be referred to as galloping. Gallop is also used figuratively to describe something that is picking up speed to the point of being out of control. Gallop is used as a noun or an intransitive verb, which is a verb that does not take an object. Related words are gallops, galloped, galloping.
Gallup is a proper name and is therefore, capitalized. The two best known Gallups are G.H. Gallup, the founder of the Gallup poll and Gallup, New Mexico. A Gallup poll is a statistical survey taken of public opinion conducted by the Gallup Company. Gallup, New Mexico is a town located along Route 66 in the United States whose inhabitants are primarily Native Americans of the Zuni, Hopi and Navajo Nations. Gallup, New Mexico was founded in 1881 as a railhead for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad and named after the railroad paymaster.
Examples
David Vandyke’s worries with Yankee Rose have eased heading into Saturday’s Golden Rose after a race-day gallop at the Sunshine Coast. (The Sydney Morning Herald)
A glance at Dr Chris’s medical history reveals he has a galloping case of the disease. (The Daily Mail)
How Americans feel about the state of their lives have improved markedly in the eight years since Barack Obama was elected president, according to Gallup data released Tuesday. (The Washington Post)
In her visits to Gallup, she reminded us that we are responsible for the least of our brothers — her Missionaries of Charity sisters still work in the Diocese of Gallup, an impact that lasted long after those initial visits. (The Santa Fe New Mexican)