The Only Use of
swagger
in
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
- The King doth wake to-night and takes his rouse,
Keeps wassail, and the swaggering up-spring reels;
And, as he drains his draughts of Rhenish down,
The kettle-drum and trumpet thus bray out
The triumph of his pledge.†Scene 1.4swaggering = walking and behaving in a highly confident manner
Definition:
walk or behave in a highly confident or proud manner -- often arrogant and sometimes to impress or intimidate others
Swagger is often used to imply that someone moves or behaves as though they are so strong and capable as to be above physical fear. Such people are often portrayed on television as gang members or cowboys.