goose-step

plural goose-steps

1. derogatoryoftengovernmentA style of march in which the legs advance in turn without bending the knee, whether as a low quick march or a rigorous high slow march for ceremonial occasions, especially associated with Prussian (or, more generally, German) soldiers.

   The balance or goose-step introduced for their practice excites a fever of disgust.

   1806 Feb. 11, Robert Thomas Wilson, Journal

   2 more examples

   The small boys had discovered the goose step, and it filled their little souls with amazement and delight. That human beings should consent to those ridiculous paces seemed to them almost incredibly funny.

   1916, HG Wells, Mr Britling Sees it Through, London: Hogarth Press, published 1985, page 204

   The goose-step, for instance, is one of the most horrible sights in the world, far more terrifying than a dive-bomber. It is simply an affirmation of naked power; contained in it, quite consciously and intentionally, is the vision of a boot crashing down on a face.

   1941, George Orwell, The Lion and the Unicorn, Pt. I

2. ball gamesA deceptive step that breaks the normal flow of running and allows a player to accelerate and/or change direction quickly while simultaneously confusing the defender.

present singular third person goose-steps · participle present goose-stepping · participle past goose-stepped · past goose-stepped

1. typically derogatorygovernmentTo march with a goose-step.

   “Der Kronprinz (God bless his noble heart!) will walk through, and goose-step all the way to Paris.”

   1917, Aleister Crowley, Moonchild, Weiser, published 2010, page 328