Words are fascinating creatures. Some have sầu clear cut roles to lớn play, while others can carry more than one meaning.

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Words also evolve over time, and tracking this evolution can be so engrossing that there is an entire field of study devoted to lớn the subject called etymology.

This is not khổng lồ mention how some words don’t necessarily descover from Latin or other ancient roots.

They may be portmanteaus or acronyms that have sầu made their way inkhổng lồ everyday speech và have sầu become staples of the language.

Over & above, not only can words tell us a lot about the cultures that birthed them, but they can also move from one culture to lớn another, changing how new generations communicate with one another.

Today’s word embodies everything enthralling about words, & it does so in one little, four-letter sized package.

It has many meanings, some of which can be traced bachồng to earlier times and others that are given to lớn it through acronyms. And, it has enriched both pop culture and social media.

Today’s word is “swag.”

Contents

2 ”Swag” the actual word3 ”Swag” the acronym

What is the meaning of “swag”?

If we’re talking about “swag” as a word, not an acronym, then it can take on many meanings, from a noun that refers lớn a suspended wreath khổng lồ a verb that means lớn sway.

“Swag” also means không tính tiền merchandise, loot, and stylish confidence. And, for Australians, “swag” can refer to lớn a bundle of personal items that belong to lớn a traveler or a miner.

But, when used as an acronym, “SWAG” can either st& for “Scientific Wild Ass Guess” or “Strength Weaknesses Actions Growth.”

And, seeing as how versatile this expression is, it should come as no surprise to lớn learn that there are several expressions and phrases that have sầu appeared, including “he got swag.”

Moreover, “swag” has had a discernible effect on hip hop culture and has made its way inkhổng lồ social truyền thông media, giving people on Twitter something lớn talk about.

With all this laid out, let’s delve into each aspect separately.

”Swag” the actual word

We will begin by discussing “swag” the word, not the acronym, and exploring all of its different meanings.

”Swag” the suspended wreath

The first meaning we will look inlớn is likely the one you know the least about.

“Swag” can be used to refer wreaths that are suspended from both ends và are left hanging down in the middle.

In fact, “swag” doesn’t necessarily have sầu to refer to lớn a wreath. It could be a garlvà, a drapery, or a cluster of foliage or flowers. What matters is how these things are hung.

ExampleThe swags looked beautiful.

If you want khổng lồ, you can drape a piece of fabric over two wooden poles to create an impromptu swag.

Obviously, “swag” in this context is an ornamental object, one that adorns walls, windows, or any space.

Another name for this definition of “swag” is “festoon.”

And, if you were to Google “festoon” right now, you will find pictures of hanging lights and drooping wreaths.

The pictures will give sầu you a better idea of what we mean by an ornament that is hung from both ends but is left khổng lồ sag in the middle.

Don’t forget khổng lồ hang all the festoons for the birthday các buổi tiệc nhỏ tomorrow.

What’s more, “swag” doesn’t only have to lớn refer to lớn a drooping ornament but can also be used to refer to lớn paintings or carved representations of these drooping ornaments, whether these ornaments are made from fabric, flowers, fruits, or some other foliage.

Their living room was beautiful. It had these majestic doorways with beautifully carved swags above sầu them.

Now, you have sầu probably noticed that “swag” is used as a noun in this context. However, it didn’t take long for this definition of “swag” to prompt the creation of a verb.

The verb “swag” can mean to lớn adorn or hang with swags.

We need to swag these wreaths before the ceremony tomorrow.

Interestingly, there is another way you can use “swag” as a verb. “Swag” can mean that something is hanging loosely or even sinking down, which you can sort of see how it relates to the original meaning, right?

The clothesline was swagging.

”Swag” the swale

We just saw how “swag” can be used khổng lồ refer lớn a drooping piece of ornament, và that should have sầu left you with a pretty strong mental image, something resembling a valley.

In fact, it is this very mental image which can probably be ascribed lớn giving the following definition.

Another meaning for “swag” is a swale, which is a depression in the l& that tends khổng lồ be moister and khổng lồ have sầu different vegetation than the surrounding, higher l&. It’s sort of like a valley.

And, if you’ve sầu never heard this expression before, you’re not alone.

You see, “swag” as a swale is more popular in the Midl& English dialect, where it is used to refer khổng lồ small valleys filled with water that are born as a result of mining operations.

Yeah, I know where John is. He is by that swag over there.

”Swag” as in lớn sway or to lớn lurch

You tired yet? Well, brace yourself because we still have a long way to lớn go.

Now, “swag” can also mean that something is moving in a heavy or unsteady manner either from side lớn side or up & down. Simply put, it also means to lớn sway.

In this instance, “swag” acts as a verb, & it can be used both with and without an object.

The lantern kept swagging during the earthquake.

Here, “swag” doesn’t have a direct object. Instead, it is a verb that describes what the lantern was doing.

Please don’t swag the chandelier. The whole thing is fragile, & if it falls, it will break & cost both of us a fortune.

Alternatively, in this latter example, “swag” has a direct object, which is the word “chandelier.”

“Swag” can equally apply to people.

As the carriage crossed the rocky road, the sheriff inside kept swagging right và left.

Moreover, “swag” can also be used as a noun that also means a sort of swaying or lurching motion.

After the earthquake, the chandelier displayed a threatening swag.

Now, even though we aren’t one hundred percent sure of the origin of this particular definition of “swag,” there are some compelling theories.

For instance, some people trace this “swag” to lớn the 1520s or 1530s và believe sầu that its roots might be Scandinavian.

To be more specific, they believe that “swag” is related lớn the Norwegian “svaga” and “svagga,” both of which mean khổng lồ sway or khổng lồ rochồng.

”Swag” for Australians and Kiwis

Interestingly, people who live in Australia and New Zealand have sầu a chất lượng definition for the word “swag.”

According khổng lồ them, “swag” is a small bundle that contains a traveler’s belongings, including their clothes, their food, và their cooking utensils. It is used informally.

Did you see the hitchhiker on the road, the one carrying their swag và trying to lớn get a ride to lớn Melbourne?

And, like most chất lượng expressions, “swag” was soon operating as both a noun & a verb.

When used as a verb, “swag” means to travel around carrying your belongings in a bundle. Obviously, this type of verb doesn’t take an object after it.

When she decided khổng lồ take a year off, she thought it might be a good idea khổng lồ swag around nước Australia.Now, if any Australians are reading this, you might have sầu an issue with this last example. And, you’d be right.

You see, although words can have sầu particular meanings, these meanings can change depending on usage & cultural customs.

For instance, the word “rock” might have sầu been used more frequently aao ước geologists a couple of centuries ago, but, today, telling someone they “rock” is tantamount lớn telling them that they are awesome.

How those two definitions relate khổng lồ one another might be baffling at first, but when you consider the appearance and evolution of music, particularly rochồng music, it becomes easier lớn see how one thing could have led lớn another.

Similarly, the definition of the word “swag” has evolved with the times. More specifically, “to go on the swag” is an informal way of saying someone has become a tramp.

If you don’t know what a tramp is, it is an individual who keeps traveling on foot, all the while searching for work.

That said, some tramps make a living through begging, which might explain why the word “tramp” has had such a negative connotation.

In fact, at one time, it was a svào insult, and it was used lớn talk about homeless, poor people. This was more around the time of the Great Depression.

So, when the example said, “she decided lớn swag around Australia,” this might have sầu been interpreted as becoming a tramp or worse.

Nevertheless, according to lớn the original meaning, the example only meant to say that she decided to travel around Australia with a small bundle carrying her belongings.

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It said nothing of how she decided to make a living or whether she was poor or not.

However, the following example clearly states that its subject has decided lớn become a tramp.

Things were really bad. He lost his job & struggled to lớn find anything else. He ended up having to go on the swag just khổng lồ be able lớn eat.

And, a “swagman” is an Australian who migrate from place lớn place looking for work, also known as a drifter.

The town was overrun by swagmen when the mayor announced the new project.

And, if you weren’t confused enough already, you might be interested lớn learn that both Australians & Kiwis use “swags of” as an informal way of saying “loads of” or “lots of.”

Jason’s got swags of business cards in his glove sầu compartment.

But, when you think about it, it kind of makes sense. “Swags of” is just another way of saying that there is so much of something that it could fill several swags.

The other ”Swag”

Now, we come lớn the definitions that you were expecting and the ones you sort of knew about.

For starters, “swag” is slang for things that people got illegally or by stealing.

One of the earlier uses of this word can be traced baông xã khổng lồ 1898 when Willamette Farmer said “Silverware in those days was the choicest swag known khổng lồ burglars.”

So, in short, “swag” meant loot.

And, if you felt that the example we just gave was old, then you will be surprised lớn learn that the word “swag” was used in the underworld as far baông chồng as the 1600s.

For instance, you had swag-shops that sold goods, & you had the term “rum swag” which meant something was full of rich goods.

As we’ve already seen time và again, words evolve over time, & this type of “swag” is no exception.

Starting from the 1960s, “swag” started lớn mean the không tính tiền promotional items that you got when you attended events.

These freebies also included the không tính phí slippers you get when you ride an airplane and the miễn phí records aspiring musicians sent to lớn radio stations.

However, it wasn’t until the 1990s that this term took off in popularity. Today, “swag” covers không lấy phí pens, shirts, mugs, calendars, và all the other usual suspects that can carry the biệu tượng công ty of a company.

Dude, look at all this swag I got from the conference. I don’t think I’ll need lớn buy another pen or notebook again for the next five years.

On a side note, this type of “swag” is also written as “schwag.”

Another neat informal definition of “swag,” one that is used in the United States, is low-grade cannabis.

I am fine smoking swag, but I’d much rather get my hands on something stronger.

”Swag” as in style & confidence

This is the definition you are probably most familiar with. We are now talking about “swag” that refers to someone being stylish and confident.

It’s obviously a slang word, one that you’ll find in a lot of today’s pop culture & social media interactions.

Woah, he’s got loads of swag. No wonder he’s so popular.

The above sentence is basically saying that the subject of the sentence is so stylish and confident that it should come as no surprise that he is so popular.

This definition of “swag” has been derived from the word “swagger.”

“To swagger” is to walk or strut in a manner that displays so much confidence that it borders on arrogance & self-importance.

What’s interesting lớn note is that despite this type of “swag” seeming relatively new, at least in comparison khổng lồ all the other definitions explored so far, it is actually one of the oldest.

More precisely, we have records of it being used in the 1640s when talking about “hansom swag fellowes.”

“Swag” also owes its popularity khổng lồ hip-hop. You have several famous rappers who have sầu used the word “swag” in their songs.

For instance, Jay Z says in one of his songs, “Cheông xã out my swag, yo. I walk like a ballplayer.”

As a matter of fact, there are several songs that have the word “swag” in their titles, & this is not khổng lồ mention that there is an actual dance out there called the “swag” dance.

Here are a few songs with swag in the title.

“Turn My Swag On” by Soulja Boy.“Swag Flu” by Soulja Boy.“Purple Swag” by ASAP Rocky.“Swag” by YG.“Check My Swag” by Chingy.

As we just said, “swag” is also used a lot on social truyền thông media, especially on Twitter where people use a hashtag along with it. “Swag” is usually used to lớn brag.

Examples:

Hop upp out of bed, turn my swag onnnnn.

Got so much swag that it’s pumping out my ovaries.

As you can tell, the usage of “swag” online can get pretty obnoxious.

To make matters worse, there was a period when people were using it so liberally that it started irking many.

”Swag” the acronym

Phew. That was a lot lớn go through. If you’re still with me, we are almost done.

”Swag” lớn mean “Stuff We All Get”

You remember how we said that “swag” was used khổng lồ refer lớn the freebies you got at conferences, seminars, & other events?

Well, even though that definition came about from the original definition of loot or booty, people figured out that there might be another way of interpreting things.

They figured that “swag” might be an acronym for “Stuff We All Get,” và the acronym stuông chồng.

I normally attover expos for all the swag they give sầu out.

”Swag” to mean “Scientific Wild *** Guess”

This is an expression that is prevalent in the business world. A “swag,” which stands for “scientific wild ass guess,” is an estimate or guess made by an expert.

However, rather than being based on the available data and facts, this guess is based on the expert’s intuition and previous experience.

The closest term to lớn it is when one guesstimates, which is a combination of a guess & an estimate.

We brought you in because we need your best swag.

So, why would anyone in the world of business need a scientific wild ass guess?

Well, actually, the term probably first appeared in the American military, either in the Army or in the Air Force.

In fact, according to lớn a journacác mục named Melvin J. Lasky, there was a US Army General named William Westmorel& who used “swag” plenty of times during the Vietnam giới War.

However, the term is still used today when a business doesn’t have access lớn all the facts.

Obviously, it is always better to make a decision based on the facts và the available information, yet, sometimes, that is not an option.

Occasionally, people have sầu khổng lồ act quickly or they have sầu no way of getting the relevant information.

And, being short on time means they have sầu khổng lồ act according to lớn a swag instead of carrying out a rigorous analysis.

Furthermore, a swag is better than a wag, which stands for a wild ass guess.

If you’re gonna make a guess, then at least you should make it an educated one & try khổng lồ base your guess on past experience or any sort of relevant expertise.

If a swag is dangerous, then a wag can spell catastrophe.

”Swag” lớn mean “Strength, Weaknesses, Actions, & Growth”

The last use of SWAG we will look at today is as an analytical tool that is quite similar to lớn SWOT.

If you don’t know what SWOT is, it is simply a tool that helps you analyze your business’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, và threats.

Accordingly, this analysis should give you a better idea of where your business has room for improvement and which new projects it should pursue.

Similarly, the SWAG tool is used to assess the needs of your business. It can come in handy when you’re trying lớn grow your business and khổng lồ help it move forward.

The idea is that whereas analyzing strengths gives you a notion of what you can build on, analyzing weaknesses gives you an idea of what are the areas where your business can improve sầu.

Then, defining the necessary actions to move sầu things forward is the next step, &, finally, you should figure out where your business lies on the Business Growth Life Cycle so that you can identify which approaches you should take to lớn move sầu onto the next phase of the cycle.

Your company is no longer a small startup. You should persize a SWAG analysis lớn figure out how you can take it into lớn the Growth phase.