canoe

[kuh-noo] /kəˈnu/
noun
1.
any of various slender, open boats, tapering to a point at both ends, propelled by paddles or sometimes sails and traditionally formed of light framework covered with bark, skins, or canvas, or formed from a dug-out or burned-out log or logs, and now usually made of aluminum, fiberglass, etc.
2.
any of various small, primitive light boats.
verb (used without object), canoed, canoeing.
3.
to paddle a canoe.
4.
to go in a canoe.
verb (used with object), canoed, canoeing.
5.
to transport or carry by canoe.
Idioms
6.
paddle one's own canoe, Informal.
  1. to handle one's own affairs; manage independently.
  2. to mind one's own business.
Origin
1545-55; < French < Spanish canoa < Arawak; replacing canoa < Spanish
Related forms
canoeist, noun
Can be confused
barge, boat, canoe, cruise ship, sailboat, ship, yacht.
British Dictionary definitions for paddle one's own canoe

canoe

/kəˈnuː/
noun
1.
a light narrow open boat, propelled by one or more paddles
2.
(NZ) another word for waka (sense 1)
3.
(NZ) in the same canoe, of the same tribe
verb -noes, -noeing, -noed
4.
to go in a canoe or transport by canoe
Derived Forms
canoeing, noun
canoeist, noun
Word Origin
C16: from Spanish canoa, of Carib origin
Word Origin and History for paddle one's own canoe

canoe

n.

1550s, originally in a West Indian context, from Spanish canoa, a term used by Columbus, from Arawakan (Haiti) canaoua. Extended to rough-made or dugout boats generally. Early variants in English included cano, canow, canoa, etc., before spelling settled down c.1600.

v.

1842, from canoe (n.). Related: Canoed; canoing.

Slang definitions & phrases for paddle one's own canoe

paddle one's own canoe

verb phrase

To deal with one's own problems, advancement, etc: My Dad kicked me out and told me to paddle my own canoe (1828+)


canoe

verb

To kiss and caress, etc; make out, neck: Her old man had been hearing about me and Daisy canoeing

[1930s+; probably fr canoodle]


Idioms and Phrases with paddle one's own canoe

paddle one's own canoe

Be independent and self-reliant, as in It's time Bill learned to paddle his own canoe. This idiom alludes to steering one's own boat. [ c. 1800 ]

canoe

see: paddle one's own canoe