Raring

/ˈreɪrɪŋ/ adjective

Definition

Very eager, enthusiastic, and ready to do something immediately.

Etymology

From the verb 'rare' (archaic), which comes from Old English 'rarian,' possibly from Latin 'rarere.' The present participle 'raring' came into use in the 1800s, especially in the phrase 'raring to go.'

Kelly Says

The phrase 'raring to go' probably comes from racehorses literally rearing up on their hind legs because they're so eager to run—it's one of the few words where the literal animal behavior still shows through the metaphor!

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