dog paddle

¹

noun

1. a simple swimming stroke mainly used to stay afloat while remaining almost stationary in the water, executed by paddling both arms underwater while kicking the legs, with the body in a crouching position and the head above water.

dog-paddle

²

[dawg-pad-l, dog-]

verb (used without object)

dog-paddled, dog-paddling 

1. to swim or keep afloat by use of the dog paddle.

dog paddle

noun

1. another name for doggy paddle

Word History and Origins

Origin of dog paddle¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Origin of dog paddle²

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

“They can dog paddle, if you will, but any uptick in unemployment or worsening of the economy could drive a pretty significant spike in defaults.”

Read more on Seattle Times

Some wear their fatigues inside out, identifying them as Marines who are just learning to swim and flailing the length of the pool in a mix of dog paddle and haphazard overhand stroke.

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They plunge in, single-file, and dog paddle furiously across the strong current.

Read more on New York Times

Many of us will be doing the dog paddle to stay afloat.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Not on Day 1, when she could barely dog paddle a lap.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bathe 
• crawl 
• dive 
• float 
• glide 
• paddle 
• submerge 
• wade