The word "shoogle," which means to shake or sway, is spelled with two O's, despite the fact that it may look like it should be spelled with U's. The reason for this spelling is the pronunciation, which is /ˈʃuːɡəl/. The first sound is the "sh" sound, followed by the long "oo" sound as in "soon," and ending with a short "uh" sound. So, while the spelling may seem unusual, it accurately represents the phonetic transcription of the word.
Shoogle is a colloquial noun and verb in Scottish and Northern English dialects, which originated from the Scots language. As a noun, shoogle refers to a gentle or rhythmic rocking or swaying motion, typically experienced while riding in a moving vehicle or when something is slightly unsteady or loose. For example, a person may say, "The train's shoogle was soothing to me as I traveled."
As a verb, shoogle refers to the act of rocking, shaking, or moving something slightly back and forth. It can also signify the act of testing or assessing the stability, firmness, or security of an object. For example, one might say, "I shoogle the chair to check if it is stable enough to sit on." Additionally, shoogle can be used to describe a persistent or continuous movement or vibration. For instance, "The washing machine shoggled as it reached its final spin cycle."
Overall, shoogle conveys a sense of movement, often gentle and rhythmic, and is commonly associated with slight swaying, shaking, oscillation, or testing for stability. It is predominantly used in Scottish and Northern English dialects but may also be understood or used in adjacent regions or among individuals familiar with these dialects.
The word "shoogle" is derived from the Scots language. Its origin can be traced back to the Middle English word "schoggen", which means "to shake" or "to jog". The Scots language has preserved many older English dialect words that are no longer commonly used, and "shoogle" is one such example. It is often used to describe a back-and-forth shaking or rocking motion.