Moving slowly and aimlessly, typically carried by air or water currents. Can also describe gradually losing focus or purpose in life or conversation.
From Old English drifan meaning 'to drive, push.' Related to Dutch drijven and German treiben. The sense of aimless movement developed from the idea of being pushed by external forces rather than self-directed motion.
Drifting in cars - a driving technique where the car slides sideways through turns - was developed in 1970s Japan by racing driver Kunimitsu Takahashi. What started as an efficient racing technique became an art form, with drivers judged on style and control rather than speed.
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