The Archive

Etymology Journal ยท G

Get a wiggle on

Meaning

A charming, informal way to tell someone to hurry up. It implies a sense of urgency without being overly aggressive.

Friendly, lighthearted

Used in a sentence

  • We need to get a wiggle on if we want to catch the early train.
  • Get a wiggle on or we will miss the start of the game.
  • If you do not get a wiggle on, we will be late for church.

The backstory

Likely comes from the idea of moving one's hips or body to get moving quickly. It has been a standard phrase for a brisk departure since the early 1900s.

Heard in

Midwest, South

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