Some "K" words: "Akimbo"

       Some words that find themselves together because they're "k" words and because they're strange and for no other reason.

       “Akimbo” is the only word that doesn’t begin with “k,” and we’ll begin with it.   I love this word but hadn’t the faintest idea what its root might be.  Those two hands planted on the hips, elbows jutting outwards, no other word to describe that, is there?  Just arms “akimbo.”

       What does it mean?  Literally, “in keen bow” from Middle English in kenebowe, in a “sharp” (kene) “bent curve” (bowe).  Exactly the picture of those elbows.  Taking the “keen” (kene) back to Old English cene, the meaning suggests “bold, brave,” to go along with the attitude that might be associated with that posture:  “King of the hill!”  I love that.                                                           

       Arms in keen bow!