The word "swinging" (IPA: /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/) is spelled with the combination of letters "sw" representing the sound of "sw-" /sw/, followed by the letter "i" representing the short vowel sound /ɪ/, and then the letters "ng" representing the sound of "ng-" /ŋ/. The "g" at the end of the word is silent and is there to indicate that the "ng" sound is nasalized. "Swinging" is the present participle form of the verb "swing," meaning to move back and forth or to hang freely from a support.
Swinging, in its various contexts, can be described as a term used to refer to a range of actions, behaviors, or situations that involve movement, change, or variation. It can also pertain to distinctive social or sexual activities.
When used in a physical sense, swinging typically refers to a rhythmic back-and-forth or side-to-side motion, often involving objects or persons suspended from a central point. This can take the form of a pendulum, playground swing, or a person swaying their body in a certain manner.
In relation to social interaction, swinging denotes the act of engaging in a recreational and consensual practice where individuals or couples engage in sexual encounters with other partners. This is commonly referred to as "swinging" or "partner swapping." These activities often take place in designated venues such as swingers' clubs or private parties and are typically undertaken by those who embrace open relationships or alternative lifestyles.
Furthermore, swinging can be figuratively used to characterize a person's emotional or mental state. If someone is described as "swinging" emotionally or experiencing mood swings, it implies they are prone to abrupt shifts in their feelings or attitudes.
In a more general sense, "swinging" can suggest a movement back and forth between different options, decisions, or points of view. For example, swinging between alternatives in a discussion or weighing pros and cons before making a final choice.
In summary, the term "swinging" encompasses a range of meanings, from physical movements to social activities, emotional states, and decision-making processes.
• Very large.
• Moving to and fro; waving; brandishing; great; huge.
• Act of moving to and fro.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "swinging" originated from the Middle English word "swingen", which was derived from the Old English word "swengan". The original meaning of "swingen" was "to beat" or "to strike", which later evolved to also mean "to move back and forth" or "to oscillate". Ultimately, the current meaning of "swinging" as an adjective, describing a dynamic or liberated lifestyle, particularly in terms of open relationships or sexualities, emerged during the 1950s and 1960s.