Hustle
/ˈhʌsəl/
Hustle can mean working hard and energetically, deceiving someone for gain, or referring to a fast, energetic dance from the 1970s.
Examples
- He tried to hustle the tourists out of their cash.
- That investment scheme is just a hustle to steal your money.
- They were hustling people with fake lottery tickets.
- He learned the hustle from his uncle who was big in the 70s.
- They hustled to finish the project before the deadline.
Meanings
The word hustle entered English in the 18th century as a dialectal term meaning 'to push or hurry'. It likely originated from the Norwegian hustla, which meant 'to bustle or move quickly'. Over time, it evolved from physical pushing to metaphorical urgency in work or action, especially in American English during the 20th century.
Examples
- She hustles every day to grow her startup.
- He was hustling on the basketball court, driving to the basket.
- They hustled to finish the project before the deadline.
- I saw her hustling customers at the street market.
- The artist hustles to sell his paintings online.
By the mid-1800s, hustle took on a negative connotation in American English, referring to swindling or cheating, especially in gambling or street cons. This sense likely developed from the idea of hurried, underhanded activity. The 'confidence trick' usage became prominent in the early 20th century, leading to phrases like 'a hustle job' or 'running a hustle'.
Examples
- That investment scheme is just a hustle to steal your money.
- He tried to hustle the tourists out of their cash.
- Don't fall for that hustle, it's not a real deal.
- They were hustling people with fake lottery tickets.
- The guy got hustled in the parking lot.
In the 1970s, the Hustle became the name of a popular partner dance that evolved from disco culture. The dance's name borrowed the existing word hustle, emphasizing its fast, energetic style. While the dance is less common today, the term persists in cultural references to that era.
Examples
- They danced the Hustle at the retro party.
- He learned the hustle from his uncle who was big in the 70s.
- The club played disco music and everyone started hustling.
- She showed off her hustling moves on the dance floor.
- The video featured people hustling in flashy outfits.