Where Did Swooning Come from?

swoon (n.)
1300, suowne, suun, "state of unconsciousness," probably from Old English geswogen "in a faint," past participle of a lost verb *swogan (see swoon (v.)). swoon (v.) c. 1200, "to become unconscious," probably from a lost Old English verb *swogan (as in Old English aswogan "to choke"), of uncertain origin.

Was swooning a real thing?

Swooning was simply one method of a woman showing her delicate nature in the form of an extreme emotional reaction to a particular event. Today, simply gasping might be the best social-cue equivalent. ... You see, at the time, well-to-do women often had something called a “fainting room”.

What does swooning mean?

1a : a partial or total loss of consciousness. b : a state of bewilderment or ecstasy : daze, rapture. 2 : a state of suspended animation : torpor. Other Words from swoon Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More About swoon.

Robert Thorne

Robert Thorne

Automotive & Future Transportation Editor

Robert Thorne covers electric vehicle innovations, autonomous driving systems, global mobility trends, and automotive engineering developments.