bobsled
UK[ˈbɒbsled]US[ˈbɑːbsled]
n
A long racing sled for two or more people, with a steering mechanism at the front.
v
To race or ride on a bobsled.
Morpheme Breakdown
bob
sled
bob
sled
Etymology
The word 'bobsled' is a compound formed from two English words. The first element, 'bob', refers to the characteristic bobbing or jerking motion made by the riders as they attempted to gain speed at the start of a race by pushing and then quickly jumping into the sled. The second element, 'sled', of Germanic origin, directly names the type of vehicle. The term emerged in the late 19th century to describe this specific type of steerable racing sled, with the 'bob' component vividly capturing the initial, rhythmic pushing technique that defined its early use.
Analysis
Structure: bob + sled
- bob: Likely from the English verb 'to bob', meaning to move up and down quickly or with a short, jerking motion. Its origin is imitative (onomatopoeic) or of unknown origin.
- sled: From Middle Dutch 'sledde', meaning a vehicle for sliding, especially on snow or ice. Its functional role is the core noun denoting the object.
Examples
The Jamaican bobsled team became famous for their participation in the Winter Olympics.
They trained for years to bobsled down the icy chute at record speeds.
The old bobsled was stored in the barn, a relic from a bygone era of winter sports.