Goose-step

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Grammarist

Goose-step is a term that first appeared at the beginning of the 1800s. We will examine the definition of goose-step, where the term came from and some examples if its use in sentences,

A goose-step is a method of military marching that involves swinging the legs in unison, in a manner that keeps the knees straight and unbent. This method of marching, originally called the Stechschritt or “stabbing step” was introduced in the Prussian army by Field Marshal Leopoldo in the mid-1700s. It was the British who renamed this march the goose-step in the 1800s, as a pejorative. During the 1930s the goose-step came to be associated with fascist governments, especially Germany. Today a form of goose-stepping is still used in many armies of the world, though usually as part of a slow, ceremonial march. Note that goose-step is correctly rendered with a hyphen, as per the Oxford Engish Dictionary, though it is sometimes seen rendered without a hyphen as in goose step. Goose-step may be used as a noun or a verb, related words are goose-steps, goose-stepped, goose-stepping.

Examples

“At the end of this awful Soviet-style display we had to watch the Chinese soldiers goose step on to the stage”. (The Guardian)

The missiles, probably his father’s and grandfather’s, glide by in all their shopworn glory and the soldiers, wearing uniforms that were outdated in 1962, still goose-step like it’s 1939. (The Quay County Sun)

They have been exposed to a barrage of toxic propaganda, and yet are not goose-stepping stormtroopers of neo-tsarist imperialism. (The Moscow Times)

Prince Charles, Margaret Thatcher, final Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten and young new Prime Minister Tony Blair glumly watched goose-stepping soldiers of the People’s Liberation Army. (The Globe and Mail)