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toboggan

A long sled without runners, with the front end curled upwards, which may be pulled across snow by a cord or used to coast down hills.

təˈbɒɡ.ənDocumented since 1820sSilenthistoricalCurrent200 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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3 definitions
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Etymology timeline

Born ~1829 · 1 year of recorded use
1829Born2026: 2 citationsToday, 2026

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#1·Apr 27, 2026

A long sled without runners, with the front end curled upwards, which may be pulled across snow by a cord or used to coast down hills.

Origin: The noun is attested since 1829, the verb since 1846. Both derive from , which derives from an word, probably or , influenced by similar words in other Eastern Canadian Algonquian languages. The sense of "hat" is recorded since 1929 and is short for toboggan cap (1928), a cap suitable for wearing while tobogganing. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Heard in the wild
  • “Move Carol Toboggan out of the cottage* #TheArchers (* Or village/county/country - delete as applicable)”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Anna is Carol Toboggan's daughter, and the other lawyer in Borsetshire. #TheArchers”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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#2·Apr 27, 2026

(figurative) Something which, once it starts going (figuratively) downhill, is unstoppable until it reaches the bottom.

For parents

"toboggan" means: Something which, once it starts going (figuratively) downhill, is unstoppable until it reaches the bottom.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

"toboggan" means: Something which, once it starts going (figuratively) downhill, is unstoppable until it reaches the bottom.. Register: neutral, standard English, usable in most everyday contexts. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in a comparable context.

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#3·Apr 27, 2026

(Canada, US) A similar sled of wood, pulled by dogs, possibly with steel runners, made to transport cargo.

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