cross-buttock: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Rare / Archaic / Niche (Sports History)Historical, Technical (wrestling/combat sports), Regional (Northern England dialect).
Quick answer
What does “cross-buttock” mean?
A specific throw or trip in wrestling, particularly in styles like Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling, where the attacker uses their hip to throw the opponent over it.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific throw or trip in wrestling, particularly in styles like Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling, where the attacker uses their hip to throw the opponent over it.
An obsolete or historical term for a forceful, surprise reversal or upset in any contest, sometimes metaphorically extended to describe a sudden defeat or unexpected setback.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated in and is primarily associated with traditional British wrestling. It is virtually unknown in American English, where general wrestling terms like 'hip throw' or 'trip' would be used.
Connotations
In the UK, it has a strong regional and historical connotation. In the US, it would likely be misunderstood or sound humorous due to 'buttock'.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties, but marginally more documented in British historical/sports texts. Effectively zero frequency in contemporary AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “cross-buttock” in a Sentence
[WRESTLER] cross-buttocked [OPPONENT]to execute/perform a cross-buttock on [SOMEONE]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cross-buttock” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The experienced wrestler deftly cross-buttocked his younger opponent.
- He was known for his ability to cross-buttock even the heaviest challengers.
American English
- [Not used in AmE; a descriptive phrase would be used instead, e.g., 'He tripped him with a classic hip throw.']
adverb
British English
- [Not standard]
American English
- [Not used in AmE]
adjective
British English
- The cross-buttock throw was his signature move.
- They practiced cross-buttock techniques for hours.
American English
- [Not used in AmE]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Unused.
Academic
Only in historical or sports studies papers on traditional wrestling.
Everyday
Unused.
Technical
Specific to descriptions of techniques in historical/Cumberland & Westmorland wrestling.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cross-buttock”
- Using it as a general term for any defeat.
- Mispronouncing 'buttock' with stress on the first syllable.
- Spelling as 'crossbuttock' or 'cross buttock' (hyphenated is standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely rare and archaic term, primarily of interest to historians of sport or enthusiasts of traditional wrestling.
Only in a very deliberate, literary, or metaphorical way, and your audience would need to be familiar with the original meaning. It is not a standard metaphorical expression.
In this historical/technical context, 'buttock' refers more to the hip or haunch (the side of the body around the pelvis), which is used as a pivot point for the throw, rather than specifically the gluteal muscles.
Yes, the technique is broadly similar to throws like 'Hane Goshi' (spring hip throw) or 'Uki Goshi' (floating hip throw) in Judo, though not an exact equivalent.
A specific throw or trip in wrestling, particularly in styles like Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling, where the attacker uses their hip to throw the opponent over it.
Cross-buttock is usually historical, technical (wrestling/combat sports), regional (northern england dialect). in register.
Cross-buttock: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkrɒs ˈbʌtək/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkrɔːs ˈbʌtək/ or /ˌkrɑːs ˈbʌtək/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to give someone the cross-buttock (metaphorical, rare/archaic: to deliver a surprise defeat).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a wrestler making a CROSS (X) with his body over the opponent's BUTTOCK (hip) to throw him.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTESTS ARE PHYSICAL COMBAT. A SUDDEN REVERSAL IS A PHYSICAL THROW.
Practice
Quiz
In what context would you most likely encounter the term 'cross-buttock'?