Hawking

Part of Speech

Noun, Verb

Pronunciation

/ˈhɔː.kɪŋ/ (British English), /ˈhɑː.kɪŋ/ (American English)

Definitions

• Hawking (Noun): The act of selling goods, typically in public places, by calling out to potential customers.
• Hawking (Verb): Present participle of the verb "hawk" - to sell goods or wares aggressively or openly in public spaces.
• The act of training or hunting with a trained bird of prey, especially a hawk.

Usage Examples

• Street vendors were hawking fresh fruits along the busy streets.
• He spent the afternoon hawking souvenirs to tourists in the market.
• The falconer spent years hawking with his bird of prey in the wild.

Etymology

From Middle English "hauk," meaning "a hawk" (bird of prey), combined with the verb "to hawk," meaning to sell or offer for sale, or "to hunt with a hawk." The meaning evolved from selling items aggressively to include the training and use of birds of prey.

Synonyms

• Street vending
• Selling
• Peddling
• Tramping
• Pitching

Antonyms

• Buying
• Purchasing
• Receiving

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

In American English, "hawking" may emphasize a more open 'a' sound, while British English uses a more rounded 'o' sound.

Historical Usage

The term "hawking" dates back to the medieval period when the practice of training hawks for hunting became prevalent across Europe. Over time, the meaning expanded to encompass the selling of goods in public, often vocally or aggressively.

Cultural Nuances

In some cultures, hawking is associated with nomadic lifestyles, where individuals travel from place to place selling goods. It is also heavily linked with the ancient art of falconry, where the term "hawking" refers specifically to hunting with trained hawks.

More Information

The modern meaning of "hawking" is closely tied to street vending and informal sales methods. It has evolved from its historical use in falconry and the marketplace to become a term that refers to any aggressive selling technique. The act is often seen in markets or tourist areas where vendors actively try to attract potential buyers.