Definition of the word limber up

The phrase "limber up" originated in the world of athletics, specifically in British rugby football during the late 1800s. It was originally used to describe the physical exercises and stretches that footballers performed before a match to prepare their bodies for the intense physical demands of the game. The word "limber" in this context comes from an Old French word meaning "bend" or "flexible." This sense of flexibility and mobility is also present in the modern use of "limber up" to refer to any type of physical activity or exercise designed to warm up the body and loosen the muscles. In rugby football, limbering up involved a range of drills and warm-up exercises, such as running, jumping, and squatting, designed to increase blood flow to the muscles and prevent injury. These same exercises are still commonly used by athletes today to get their bodies ready for competition in a wide variety of sports. As the popularity of rugby football spread to other countries, including Australia and New Zealand, the term "limber" also became adopted by these countries' nascent rugby cultures. Over time, the phrase "limber up" has evolved to encompass any type of warm-up or preparation activity, whether in sports or other contexts where physical readiness is important, such as military training or dance classes. Overall, the origins of "limber up" reveal both the deep connections between rugby football and the broader world of athletics, as well as the ongoing importance of preparation and safety in all kinds of physical endeavors.