ClimateSeptember 3, 2026
bushwhack
BUSH-wak
Definition
To travel laboriously through dense forest, undergrowth, or trackless terrain where no paths exist.
Etymology
The word originated in early 19th-century American English, likely derived from the practice of hiding in or moving through bushes to ambush an enemy or avoid being seen. It combines the noun 'bush' with the verb 'whack,' evoking the act of clearing or pushing through thick vegetation.
In the news
Smokejumpers often have to bushwhack for miles to reach the nearest road after completing a remote firefighting mission in the wilderness. It illustrates the physical toll and isolation inherent in their work.
Smokejumpers: They Jump Out of Planes to Fight Wildfires
Read the full article ↗Gadget Review