derring-do

[der-ing-doo]

noun

1. daring deeds; heroic daring.

derring-do

/ ˈdɛrɪŋˈduː /

noun

1. archaic,  a daring spirit or deed; boldness or bold action

Word History and Origins

Origin of derring-do¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English durring-do literally, “daring to do,” erroneously taken as noun phrase; dare, do ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of derring-do¹

C16: from Middle English durring don daring to do, from durren to dare + don to do

Related Words

• bravado 
• valor