Goose-stepping

Roy G. Biv filted:
[nq:1]When soldiers are "goose-stepping" they don't walk like geese at all. If soldiers actually marched the way geese walk, they'd probably get thrown in the stockade. Can anyone tell me the origin of this phrase?[/nq]
I imagine it's because each step puts you in peril of sticking your foot up the bottom of the soldier marching in front of you...to poke another person w

[nq:1]When soldiers are "goose-stepping" they don't walk like geese at all.[/nq]
How do geese walk?
[nq:1]If soldiers actually marched the way geese walk, they'd probably get thrown in the stockade. Can anyone tell me the origin of this phrase?[/nq]
The first use of the word cited by the OED is:
'1806 Sir R. Wilson Jrnl. 11 Feb., The balance or goose-step introduced for their pract

[nq:1]Can anyone tell me the origin of this phrase?[/nq]
Yes once again the , with additional citation, below:

GOOSE STEP
Mil.
a. An elementary drill in which the recruit is taught to balance his body on either leg alternately, and swing the other backwards and forwards. b. A balance step, practised esp. by various armies in marching on ceremonial parades, in which the legs ar

[nq:2]When soldiers are "goose-stepping" they don't walk like geese at all.[/nq]
[nq:1]How do geese walk?[/nq]
I think you will find that their knees are on backwards.

Thank you all for your responses. I asked because geese actually lurch from side to side in a very non-military manner.
Sorry but due to spam I will not provide a valid e-mail address. Please reply to group with questions or comments.

[nq:2]Sorry but due to spam I cannot provide a valid e-mail address.[/nq]
[nq:1]"will not". Can't blame you.[/nq]
"Shan't blame you."

Jack Gavin

[nq:2]"will not". Can't blame you.[/nq]
[nq:1]"Shan't blame you."[/nq]
"Don't blame you."

[nq:2]"Shan't blame you."[/nq]
[nq:1]"Don't blame you."[/nq]
Hmph. A likely story.

Maria Conlon
For email: Please don't use "from" address;
instead, use tootsie at sprynet dot com

[nq:2]"Don't blame you."[/nq]
[nq:1]Hmph. A likely story.[/nq]
You, Tootsie, I blame. I just can't remember what for.

Bob Lieblich
Sigs temporarily discontinued

[nq:1]GOOSE STEP Mil. a. An elementary drill in which the recruit is taught to balance his body on either leg ... by various armies in marching on ceremonial parades, in which the legs are alternately advanced without bending the knees. 1806[/nq]
I was told (somewhere, somewhen) that the Goose Step originated as a parade ground training exercise for the soldiers of Frederic the Great. That wou