go-slow
UK[ˌɡəʊ ˈsləʊ]US[ˌɡoʊ ˈsloʊ]
n
A form of industrial action in which workers deliberately work at a very slow pace as a protest.
n
A policy or strategy of deliberate delay or obstruction, especially in a political or bureaucratic context.
Morpheme Breakdown
go
slow
go
move, proceed
slow
at a low speed
Etymology
The term 'go-slow' is a transparent compound formed from two native English words, 'go' and 'slow', following a common Germanic pattern of verb-adverb combination. The literal meaning, "to proceed slowly," was applied in the early 20th century as a specific label for a labor protest tactic, where workers would reduce productivity by strictly adhering to minimum work rules and pace. This strategic use of literal slowness transformed the phrase into a nominalized term for a specific form of industrial action. Its logic later extended metaphorically beyond the workplace to describe any deliberate strategy of delay or obstruction in administrative or political processes.
Analysis
Structure: go (move, proceed) + slow (at a low speed)
- go: From Old English 'gān', meaning to move, proceed, or walk. In this compound, it functions as a verb base indicating action.
- slow: From Old English 'slāw', meaning sluggish, inactive, or at a low speed. In this compound, it functions as an adverbial modifier describing the manner of the action.
Examples
The union organized a go-slow to protest the new working conditions without calling a full strike.
The traffic jam caused a frustrating go-slow on the motorway for several miles.
Critics accused the committee of a bureaucratic go-slow to avoid making a difficult decision.