Stuck in a rut? Drifting without direction? This word was born on the open ocean, where sailors once dreaded long, breathless stretches with no wind to move their ships
Word of the day: DOLDRUMS
Pronunciaton: dol·drums UK/ˈdɒl.drəmz/ US/ˈdoʊl.drəmz/
Meaning
A period of inactivity, stagnation, depression, or listlessness
Origin and history
The word doldrums has a fascinating origin story rooted in sailing.
It refers to a region near the equator where there is little to no wind, often causing sailing ships to become becalmed for extended periods.
The term is thought to derive from the Dutch word dol, meaning lazy or sluggish, accurately describing the frustrating experience of being stuck in this area.
The first recorded use of 'doldrum' was in the late 18th century.
In the early 19th century, sailors used it for the windless equatorial belt.
Examples from literature
The weeks between the hearing and the next court date dragged by slower than any doldrums I’d ever encountered. – Red Kayak by Priscilla Cummings
The suffrage movement was entering a phase that many historians refer to as “the doldrums”. – Votes for Women! by Winifred Conkling
Synonyms
- depression
- gloom
- slump
- stagnation
Published: 24 Sept 2025, 08:00 am IST
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