TEETER TOTTERING Meaning and
Definition
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Teeter tottering refers to the act of wavering, vacillating, or hesitating between two alternatives or opposing positions. It is a metaphorical reference to the motion of a seesaw or teeter-totter, which moves back and forth as weight shifts from one end to the other.
In a literal sense, teeter tottering describes the playtime activity of children on a seesaw, where two individuals on opposite sides swing up and down in unison. In this context, teeter tottering encapsulates the concept of balance, cooperation, and coordination.
However, the term is often used figuratively to describe a situation in which someone is indecisive or uncertain, constantly shifting between choices, opinions, or attitudes. It suggests a lack of stability or commitment, as if the person is constantly fluctuating in their thoughts or actions without being able to settle on a definitive option.
Teeter tottering can also convey a sense of vulnerability, as the person is susceptible to external influences and easily swayed by different arguments or pressures. It implies a state of instability or lack of firmness in one's convictions or decision-making process.
Overall, teeter tottering is a multifaceted term that encompasses the playful motion of a seesaw and extends metaphorically to depict the act of vacillating, wobbling, or wavering between choices or positions.
Common Misspellings for TEETER TOTTERING
- teeter-totterring
- teter-tottering
- teeter-tottering
- teater-tottering
- teetertodtering
- teetertotterinng
- teetertottewring
- teatertottering
- teetertwottering
- teetertoottering
- Titter tottering
- Tetter tottering
- Totter tottering
Etymology of TEETER TOTTERING
The term "teeter-tottering" is derived from the original word "teeter-totter", which is an American English term for a seesaw, a playground apparatus that moves up and down on a fulcrum. The word "teeter-totter" emerged in the late 19th century, and its etymology can be traced back to sound symbolism.
The word "teeter" is thought to imitate the sound of the back-and-forth motion of a seesaw, reflecting the alternation or teetering movement experienced while using the apparatus. The word "totter" refers to an unsteady or swaying movement, which again reflects the nature of the seesaw's motion.
In summary, "teeter-tottering" is a verbal form derived from "teeter-totter", which itself was created through sound symbolism related to the motion of a seesaw.
