Is it a "Saunter" or a "Hike"? Our Pilgrimages.......

[HalfDomeOrBust]

 

[Tim Floyd]

I have to laugh, because when I was working to convince my wife to come along with me on the CF I told her “It’s really not a hike. It’s just a long walk.” By day three trudging into Zuberi after the Napoleon, she told me in no uncertain terms that this was a hike! Of course it got better. Finished our saunter 40 days later and had a great time.

 

[David Tallan]

It is a beautiful theory of the origin of the word. Unfortunately, the Oxford English Dictionary, which is pretty authoritative in matters of English etymology, does not agree. In fact, the word does not appear to go back to the middle ages. It dates to the 17th century and originally meant "to wander or travel about aimlessly or unprofitably" which, for me at least, doesn't suit pilgrimage too well.

If we want an alternative to "hike", I would humbly suggest "peregrinate", which is related in etymology to the French, Italian and Spanish verbs "to go on pilgrimage".

What, doesn't everyone keep a copy of the OED in their bedrooms to look up these things?

 

[Saunterr]

From Thoreau: “Some, however, would derive the word from sans terre without land or a home, which, therefore, in the good sense, will mean, having no particular home, but equally at home everywhere”.

I’m a saunterr

 

[C clearly]

originally meant "to wander or travel about aimlessly or unprofitably" which, for me at least, doesn't suit pilgrimage too well.

"Saunter" is certainly not what I do on the Camino. Rather, I walk purposely with a clear destination in mind.

 

[Bradypus]

What, doesn't everyone keep a copy of the OED in their bedrooms to look up these things?

The Compact edition obviously. The two-volume version with its own magnifying glass in a little drawer for checking out the very fine print. No true pedant should travel anywhere without it!

 

[David Tallan]

The Compact edition obviously. The two-volume version with its own magnifying glass in a little drawer for checking out the very fine print. No true pedant should travel anywhere without it!

View attachment 50700

That's the one. I don't bother with the magnifying glass, though. I just look really closely at the page.

But I must admit I am not pedant enough to put it in my backpack when I walk the Camino.

 

[KJFSophie]

Any day's section with any incline is a hike ( and sometimes a climb ), and on days that don't require my undivided attention because of terrain, weather, or tricky markings, I guess it would be a saunter. Each pilgrimage route has its own variety of trails and challenges ( and applicable coordinating cuss words ) .I most recently walked the Camino Portuguese, and I considered that a 'mosey'. I've discovered I enjoy the mosey most. I'll be walking the Camino Ingles this Sept ( short route this year because of health and time constraints )...I'm hoping it's a doozie of a mosey.

 

[t2andreo]

It is a beautiful theory of the origin of the word. Unfortunately, the Oxford English Dictionary, which is pretty authoritative in matters of English etymology, does not agree. In fact, the word does not appear to go back to the middle ages. It dates to the 17th century and originally meant "to wander or travel about aimlessly or unprofitably" which, for me at least, doesn't suit pilgrimage too well.

If we want an alternative to "hike", I would humbly suggest "peregrinate", which is related in etymology to the French, Italian and Spanish verbs "to go on pilgrimage".

What, doesn't everyone keep a copy of the OED in their bedrooms to look up these things?

Too many syllables... The chosen word must flow smoothly from the lips... the syllables should be rhythmic or smooth...

 

[KJFSophie]

Too many syllables... The chosen word must flow smoothly from the lips... the syllables should be rhythmic or smooth...

We can always make up a new word...? LOL

 

[Finisterre]

considering the noises I make, to mooch?

 

[J F Gregory]

Where I grew up we called it moseying. There goes Fred moseying to Santiago.

 

[Deleted member 59555]

View attachment 50692

It is a casual stroll into a beautiful village, it is a wine outside a cafe at dusk, it is freindships that will last forever. It is also a gut busting climb, decents that could break or ankle and a sweat soaked body lying on your bunk at three thirty in the afternoon wishing you were dead.
Hope I havn't put any one off.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

I'am going just for a walk .

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

It is a casual stroll into a beautiful village, it is a wine outside a cafe at dusk, it is freindships that will last forever. It is also a gut busting climb, decents that could break or ankle and a sweat soaked body lying on your bunk at three thirty in the afternoon wishing you were dead.
Hope I havn't put any one off.

 

[AlwynWellington]

It is a beautiful theory of the origin of the word. Unfortunately, the Oxford English Dictionary, which is pretty authoritative in matters of English etymology, does not agree.

Even more beautiful @David Tallan , is that John Muir, a Scot who pioneered outdoor pursuits in his home country and in western north America, most probably had not heard the the OED. Nor, it would seem, had the OED heard of John Muir.

I elect for John Muir's explanation as it is quite related to what we do (and bugger the experts).

Thanks to @HalfDomeOrBust for bringing this to our attention.

 

[jmcarp]

The Compact edition obviously. The two-volume version with its own magnifying glass in a little drawer for checking out the very fine print. No true pedant should travel anywhere without it!

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I suppose that means you have both volumes in your backpack while on Camino?

 

[Bradypus]

I suppose that means you have both volumes in your backpack while on Camino?

No - I am only a half-hearted pedant and also far too lazy. I walk quiet routes in quiet seasons and hardly meet anyone to practice on. So I leave the dictionaries at home and make up for my slacking when I get back.

 

[trecile]

I walk

 

[Deleted member 67185]

No - I am only a half-hearted pedant and also far too lazy. I walk quiet routes in quiet seasons and hardly meet anyone to practice on. So I leave the dictionaries at home and make up for my slacking when I get back.

No need to leave it behind.... You could always get the OED app for your smartphone. I'd bet the data is a bit lighter than paper

 

[Geoff Shepherd]

I walk

I have always liked your posts @trecile, to whatever topic, for being pithy and pertinent. Sama Sama this one.
Cooee

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

Well, well!! Lots of interesting thoughts on this thread. Every post seems valid and has a good point!!!

 

[WalkingJane]

"I love to go a-wandering amongst the fields so green.........."

 

[dougfitz]

What, doesn't everyone keep a copy of the OED in their bedrooms to look up these things?

Not in the bedroom, but somewhere in the house there are the Shorter, Illustrated and first Edition of the Australia Pocket OEDs, as well as two Concise Macquarie Dictionarys (both 1st and 2nd Eds) and a paperback edition of The University English Dictionary. As a child, my family relied on a Webster's, a wonderful tome!

As @davebugg notes, there are apps and other web resources. For those of us who delight in both the highways and byways of the English language and its many varieties, we are never far from a good dictionary, thesaurus or similar resource.

 

[Bradypus]

As a child, my family relied on a Webster's, a wonderful tome!

I agree. Way back in another century I was part of a school quiz team and we won a three-volume set of Webster's each as the runners-up in an inter-school competition. Still here on my shelves. The first prize was a long weekend in Copenhagen plus a full set of the Encyclopedia Britannica. Would have kept me out of mischief for a while

 

[susanawee]

Not in the bedroom, but somewhere in the house there are the Shorter, Illustrated and first Edition of the Australia Pocket OEDs, as well as two Concise Macquarie Dictionarys (both 1st and 2nd Eds) and a paperback edition of The University English Dictionary. As a child, my family relied on a Webster's, a wonderful tome!

As @davebugg notes, there are apps and other web resources. For those of us who delight in both the highways and byways of the English language and its many varieties, we are never far from a good dictionary, thesaurus or similar resource.

Sounds just like my house Doug and, ditto on the growing up with Websters...lol

 

[John Crawford Howell]

It is a beautiful theory of the origin of the word. Unfortunately, the Oxford English Dictionary, which is pretty authoritative in matters of English etymology, does not agree. In fact, the word does not appear to go back to the middle ages. It dates to the 17th century and originally meant "to wander or travel about aimlessly or unprofitably" which, for me at least, doesn't suit pilgrimage too well.

If we want an alternative to "hike", I would humbly suggest "peregrinate", which is related in etymology to the French, Italian and Spanish verbs "to go on pilgrimage".

What, doesn't everyone keep a copy of the OED in their bedrooms to look up these things?

By extension, in Spain, we pilgrims are known as Peregrinos.

 

[susanawee]

By extension, in Spain, we pilgrims are known as Peregrinos.

Wilsti I do agree in some ways with 'saunter', maybe not beig the right word in this discussion, I would just like to add here....So many of or newer members here, actually Don't think of Walking the Camino, which ever route they choose to walk, as a Pilgrimage, or of themselves as 'Pilgrims' and therefore, perhaps Perigrinate, is also the incorrect word for what They are doing. A goodly portion of walkers who I connected with in April and May last year where walking for other reasons and had very little, if any, knowledge of the History or other traditions associated with their walk. Just sayng here so 'please don't shoot me dwn in flames'. Cheers.

 

[lunna]

I always refer to this as a stroll.

 

[OLDBIKERIDER]

I often found myself saying out loud or to myself that the Camino is just like life. It contains ups and downs, opportunity to laugh at oneself as well as with others; times to feel urges to give up, to give to another, to take from another. For me and many others the journey is more about making forward progress in understanding ones life; remembering the future. Just do it.

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

I do not have to be from Oz to say, "I am going on walkabout."

 

[4 Eyes]

"The etymology of the word saunter features in an essay by Henry Thoreau (‘Walking’ published 1862) where the same reference to the Holy Land is made."

"Thoreau’s explanation for the word saunter: from à la Saint[e] Terre, describing pilgrims on their way to the Holy Land. There goes a Saint[e] Terrer, a saunterer, a Holy Lander. But it was a false etymology, apparently spread from a book called Country Words, by S. and E. Ray, 1691. Although since the origins of the word were obscure, it might in fact be the true story."

"The book is John Ray’s Collection of South and East-Country Words (1691)"

"The word is used (and explained as indeed referring to the Crusaders going to the Holy Land) in A Political History of the Devil by Daniel Defoe (pub 1726)."

I found the above information on line. So looks like John Muir read Thoreau, but not the OED. Thoreau is a good read.

 

[John Crawford Howell]

How wonderful that Thoreau and Muir played out their respective roles in life as bookends from opposite sides of America, but with the same aim: to educate, enlighten, and compel enduring love for Nature in all her depth, breadth, and beauty. So saunter on, brave pilgrims, saunter on, or stroll, or promenade, or walk about, or peregrinate, or hike, or mosey, or...

 

[mikebet]

...or perambulate.

 

[David Tallan]

...or perambulate.

I always think of that as what you do when you are pushing your baby in front of you in a fancy carriage.

 

[dougfitz]

I always think of that as what you do when you are pushing your baby in front of you in a fancy carriage.

Perhaps we need a new word for that - prambulate!

 

[David Tallan]

Perhaps we need a new word for that - prambulate!

According to my trusty OED, "pram" (in the sense of a baby carriage) is just a vulgar and colloquial abbreviation of "perambulator". ;-)

 

[dougfitz]

According to my trusty OED, "pram" (in the sense of a baby carriage) is just a vulgar and colloquial abbreviation of "perambulator". ;-)

Then you would have learned the history of both perambulator and pram are far older than their association with baby carriages in the late 19th century.

 

[mattythedog]

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I call it my Stroll Across Spain. For those of my friends and family who don't understand the spirt and energy of the Camino, I call it my Boutique Vacation: eat all the lavish dinners and delicious fresh food I want; drink a bottle of wine every night; visit medieval churches, castles, monasteries; stay outside in the fresh air nearly all day; meet hundreds of new friends from all over the world and visit old friends from previous Caminos; AND lose weight in the process!

 

[Kanga]

Going on camino: "I am going on a long walk". The family then know they will not see me for six weeks. Around the local suburbs: "I am going on a short walk". Anything from an hour to a day.

The dictionary according to me: A stroll is taking the dog out, a saunter is on a beach, a wander is what happens with small children, a hike is bushwalking.

 

[lunna]

Definitely a stroll

 

[mspath]

Definitely a stroll

lunna,
It may start off a stroll, but can at times quickly become become a slog.

 

[hopefultraveller24]

Where I grew up we called it moseying. There goes Fred moseying to Santiago.

I thought the exact same thing. I don't know that one goes moseying down to Santiago...lol

 

[jerbear]

I am trying to slow down, change my gate to allow all these body changes to occur. However, put my poles in my hands, iam off to the Races! imo.

 

[Geodoc]

I called it a saunter (also called it walkabout). Hike is a four letter word

 

[Theresa Brandon]

The Art of Sauntering - Common Reader

So often we walk at someone else’s pace, keeping up with a companion’s long strides or the pedestrians jostling alongside us. Sauntering requires a deliberate aimlessness, an ease.

commonreader.wustl.edu

 

[WalkingJane]

I am trying to slow down, change my gate to allow all these body changes to occur. However, put my poles in my hands, iam off to the Races! imo.

Walk without the poles?

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I did them all...I walked, I sauntered, I rambled, I trudged, I strolled, I mosied, and sometimes I even scampered downhill...so all of the above.

 

[malingerer]

I walk

I TOTTER

SAMARKAND.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I TOTTER

SAMARKAND.

Love it!
Keep on keeping on...no matter how we get there, or how long it takes us to arrive.

 

[John Crawford Howell]

Love it!
Keep on keeping on...no matter how we get there, or how long it takes us to arrive.

Thank you, Camino Chrissy. You echo my sentiments. Pitch perfect!

 

[WalkingJane]

It is a beautiful theory of the origin of the word. Unfortunately, the Oxford English Dictionary, which is pretty authoritative in matters of English etymology, does not agree. In fact, the word does not appear to go back to the middle ages. It dates to the 17th century and originally meant "to wander or travel about aimlessly or unprofitably" which, for me at least, doesn't suit pilgrimage too well.

If we want an alternative to "hike", I would humbly suggest "peregrinate", which is related in etymology to the French, Italian and Spanish verbs "to go on pilgrimage".

What, doesn't everyone keep a copy of the OED in their bedrooms to look up these things?

HA! NOT ANY MORE.....

 

[WalkingJane]

I TOTTER

SAMARKAND.

THIS IS IT!

 

[WalkingJane]

Too many syllables... The chosen word must flow smoothly from the lips... the syllables should be rhythmic or smooth...

Like one's steps?!

 

[chinacat]

I did them all...I walked, I sauntered, I rambled, I trudged, I strolled, I mosied, and sometimes I even scampered downhill...so all of the above.

… but did you hike??

 

[John Crawford Howell]

I TOTTER

SAMARKAND.

In my Drinking Man's Guide to Europe, lengthy passages are devoted to "TEETERING"—a state of inebriation that defies the will of the mind to walk straight. Side effects are tripping on curbs, slurring words, and seeing triple of everything. Anecdote: Totter on a Camino.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

It is a beautiful theory of the origin of the word. Unfortunately, the Oxford English Dictionary, which is pretty authoritative in matters of English etymology, does not agree. In fact, the word does not appear to go back to the middle ages. It dates to the 17th century and originally meant "to wander or travel about aimlessly or unprofitably" which, for me at least, doesn't suit pilgrimage too well.
What, doesn't everyone keep a copy of the OED in their bedrooms to look up these things?

Not in my bedroom, David, but I did find a secondhand micrographed 2 volume copy cheap, now on the bottom shelf.
So, confess! Are you the insane proud owner of all 20 volumes of this remarkable publication?
The typeface in my copies is so minute I need both reading glasses and a powerful magnifying glass. Easier is to photograph an entry on my iPhone then zoom in!

 

[Peregrinopaul]

The second photo is actually one quarter of a page. Sorry, I didn’t upload it in full definition.

 

[David Tallan]

Not in my bedroom, David, but I did find a secondhand micrographed 2 volume copy cheap, now on the bottom shelf.
So, confess! Are you the insane proud owner of all 20 volumes of this remarkable publication?
The typeface in my copies is so minute I need both reading glasses and a powerful magnifying glass. Easier is to photograph an entry on my iPhone then zoom in!
View attachment 113332 View attachment 113333

I have the two volume set with magnifying glass. I don't use the magnifying glass, though. I just take off my glasses and look real closely.

 

[Phoenix]

"to wander or travel about aimlessly or unprofitably"

Yeah, this is what I do on the occasions I go shopping with my wife; I am thoroughly uninterested in the shopping yet thoroughly interested in being with her. I guess that makes me a situation-based saunterer.

 

[David Tallan]

Yeah, this is what I do on the occasions I go shopping with my wife; I am thoroughly uninterested in the shopping yet thoroughly interested in being with her. I guess that makes me a situation-based saunterer.

Although, in that case your aim may be to spend time with your wife, and you may find the experience of being with her profitable (in the broad sense of the term).

 

[JabbaPapa]

That's the one. I don't bother with the magnifying glass, though. I just look really closely at the page.

But I must admit I am not pedant enough to put it in my backpack when I walk the Camino.

Have a version on my computer, and a link thereto on my desktop, top left.

OED has "of obscure origin".

Personally, I'd call it a long walk, a pilgrimage, and a "hike" in the French sense of a "grande rando" -- and a Camino or a Via Romea as the case may be. Not a "saunter" though ...

I don't see these senses as contradicting each other whilst on these Pilgrim Ways.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Could possibly be derived, via Anglo-Norman, from an Old French verb (se) senter, meaning "to absent oneself" ?