Definition
To dance with rapid side-to-side movements, or to shake or vibrate.
Etymology
Possibly from the French word 'chemise' (shirt) describing how the garment shakes. It emerged in American English around 1919 as a dance term, though its exact origin is disputed.
Kelly Says
The 'shimmy' became famous as a dance move in the 1920s Jazz Age, and it was actually considered scandalous because women were moving their hips! Now it's just a fun word we use for any quick shaky movement, from a car shimmy to a dance move.
Translations
CACatalà
sacsejar
sahk-seh-YAH
CSČeština
houpat
HOH-pah-t
DEDeutsch
schütteln
SHOE-teln
ESEspañol
contonear
kohn-toh-NEH-ar
FISuomi
heiluttaa
hey-LOO-tah
FRFrançais
se dandiner
suh dahnd-ee-NAY
GUGU
હલાવવું
hah-LAH-vah-vum
HEעברית
להידוד
leh-ee-DOOD
HIहिन्दी
हिलाना
hee-LAH-nah
HUMagyar
ringat
REEN-gah-t
IDBahasa Indonesia
menggoyang
muhng-GOH-yahng
ITItaliano
scuotere
skwoh-TEH-reh
KKKK
сайқалдау
sayqal-dau
KO한국어
흔들리다
heun-deul-ee-dah
MRMR
हालचाल करणे
haal-chaal kar-neh
MSBahasa Melayu
menggoyang
muhng-GOH-yahng
NLNederlands
schudden
SKHOO-den
PLPolski
potrząsać
poh-TSHAHN-tsay
PTPortuguês
sacudir
sah-KOO-deer
RORomână
a se clătina
ah seh klah-TEE-nah
RUРусский
дергать
dyer-GAHT
SWKiswahili
kutikisa
koo-TEE-see-sah
TLTL
yumukod
yoo-MOO-kohd
TRTürkçe
sallamak
sah-LAH-mahk
UKУкраїнська
хитати
khee-TAH-tee
URاردو
ہلا کرنا
hila karna
VITiếng Việt
lắc lư
lahk loo
ZUZU
ukhamba
oo-KHAHM-bah