To avoid something by moving quickly or cleverly; to evade or escape from something, often through cunning or agility. Can be used literally for physical avoidance or figuratively for avoiding responsibilities.
Origin uncertain, possibly from Low German or Middle English dialectal sources. First recorded in the 16th century, originally meaning to move unsteadily or shift about, later developing the sense of deliberate evasion.
The word 'dodge' perfectly captures the art of survival through agility rather than confrontation. It's fascinating that this simple word encompasses both the split-second reflexes of avoiding a thrown ball and the calculated maneuvering of avoiding difficult questions - both requiring quick thinking and nimble action.
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