sigogglin

English edit

Etymology edit

Apparently from side + goggling, from goggle (“to stare at with wide eyes”), indicating that something had to be stared at sideways to appear straight. Compare antigoglin.^[1]

Pronunciation edit

IPA^(key): /ˈsaɪ̯.ɡɒɡ.lɪn/

Adjective edit

sigogglin (comparative more sigogglin, superlative most sigogglin)

(US, Appalachia, dated) Not built correctly; crooked, skewed, or out of balance.

References edit

^ William Safire, Let a Simile be Your Umbrella (2001, →ISBN: "The older sense of gogglin' refers to eyes that squint; people who squint don't see things straight. They get things crooked, or antigogglin'."