Etymology 1
Proper noun
Walker (countable and uncountable, plural Walkers)
- A northern English surname originating as an occupation from the occupation of treating cloth by "walking" it.
- A male given name transferred from the surname.
- A placename
- A location in the United States:
- A settlement in Yavapai County, Arizona.
- A census-designated place in Mono County, California.
- An unincorporated community in Macon County, Illinois.
- A minor city in Linn County, Iowa.
- An unincorporated community in Ellis County, Kansas.
- A city in Livingston Parish, Louisiana.
- A city in Kent County, Michigan.
- A minor city, the county seat of Cass County, Minnesota.
- A minor city in Vernon County, Missouri.
- An unincorporated community in Wood County, West Virginia.
- An unincorporated community in Cranmoor, Wood County, Wisconsin.
- A number of townships, in Arkansas (3), Illinois, Indiana (2), Kansas, Michigan, Missouri (3), Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania (4).
- A location in the United Kingdom:
- A suburb in the Metropolitan Borough of Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England (OS grid ref NZ2864).
- A neighbourhood in south-east Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Statistics
- According to the 2010 United States Census, Walker is the 31st most common surname in the United States, belonging to 523,129 individuals. Walker is most common among White (58.7%) and Black/African American (35.1%) individuals.
Etymology 2
From Hookey Walker.
Interjection
Walker
- (UK, archaic, slang) Expressing scornful rejection or disbelief.
1843, Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, Stave Five:“Do you know the Poulterer’s, in the next street but one, at the corner?” Scrooge inquired.
“I should hope I did,” replied the lad.
“An intelligent boy!” said Scrooge. “A remarkable boy! Do you know whether they’ve sold the prize Turkey that was hanging up there?—Not the little prize Turkey: the big one?” […] “Go and buy it.”
“Walk-er!” exclaimed the boy.
“No, no,” said Scrooge, “I am in earnest. Go and buy it, and tell ’em to bring it here, that I may give them the direction where to take it. Come back with the man, and I’ll give you a shilling. Come back with him in less than five minutes and I’ll give you half-a-crown!”
Etymology 3
From Walking Liberty half dollar + -er.
Noun
Walker (plural Walkers)
- (numismatic slang) A Walking Liberty half dollar.
2004 April 29, Larry Louks, “Walking Liberty Defect”, in rec.collecting.coins (Usenet), retrieved 2023-01-03:I snagged this 1943 Walker on eBay the other day, and pulled it out of my mailbox today. It's in an ANACS holder, graded MS64. The auction photo was such that I could see what appeared to be something on the coin, but couldn't tell if it was a scratch, a cracked die, or what.
- For more quotations using this term, see Citations:Walker.