THIS is a productive time for English. The many events that are taking place everyday add more to the lexis by giving a fresh perspective to the already existing structures. The PM’s US visit has thrown up some creative headlines. Developments on the nuclear front triggered off catch phrases like ‘new clear policy’, ‘nuclear buddies’ and ‘PM nukes doubts’. The expression ‘walking the talk’ got a new twist: ‘walk the N-talk’. The role of a prime minister took on a new dimension with ‘Singh hawks democracy’. The verb ‘hawk’ is a backformation from ‘hawker’. Hawker is derived from the German ‘huckster’ and huckster has two denotations: one, a person who sells small items door-to-door and, two, a mercenary keen to make a profit out of anything. Hawking is ‘to carry about and offer goods for sale, advertising them by shouting’. So, here is a classic instance of words taking on new hues: hawking will never be the same.

Walk comes from the old English ‘wealcan’ that means ‘to roll or toss’. The word walk developed the sense of moving about or going around on foot much later. As a noun, ‘walk’ is used in nine different kinds of context and as a verb, in 14 kinds. The word ‘walk’ has fostered many expressions. You walk all over someone if you treat him or her in a disrespectful manner. ‘Walk before one can run’ is advice to grasp basic skills before attempting tough tasks. A knowledgeable person is a walking encyclopaedia. An easy victory is ‘walking the boards’. Your position or specific area is your walk of life. Lovers often walk on air when they are happy.

When one is extremely cautious about words and actions, one ‘walks on eggshells’. Pirates would make their victims walk the plank and drown in the sea subsequently; but today, the expression refers to any state of jeopardy. Junior doctors often ‘walk the wards’ in order to gain experience. Winning without facing any competition is best described as ‘winning in a walk’. The latest famous usage ‘walk the talk’ means that the speaker suits actions to words.