Language carries surprising clues about how human thought works. A fascinating look at English phrases uncovers a metaphor that thinking is walking—and science suggests it might be true.
- Many English thinking phrases relate to walking or paths
- Similar metaphors appear in other world languages
- Walking has been shown to boost creative thinking
What happened
Linguist and etymology enthusiast Adam Aleksic shared insights on TikTok that common English phrases about thinking actually stem from metaphors of walking and pathways. Phrases like “by the way” literally refer to stepping off a path to add something unrelated, while “of course” means staying on the correct path. This reveals a broader metaphor embedded in language: thinking is walking.
Aleksic explains how many everyday expressions—from ideas that "wander" or "stray" to conclusions we "arrive at"—are grounded in the imagery of motion, yet physically our minds remain still. The metaphor extends to how we describe cognition, using phrases like "follow a line of thinking" or "come to a resolution," showing that mental activity is conceptualized as movement along a journey.
Why it feels good
This metaphor resonates beyond language, as walking itself has been scientifically linked to enhanced creativity. A study by Stanford researchers found that walking, whether outdoors or on a treadmill, significantly boosts divergent thinking—helping people generate more creative ideas and higher-quality analogies.
The research suggests walking frees the mind, allowing thoughts to flow more naturally. Many renowned thinkers have historically incorporated walking into their routines, underscoring the intuitive connection between moving our bodies and stimulating our minds. This may be why the concept of "thinking is walking" remains so deeply embedded and intuitively satisfying.
What to enjoy or watch next
Explore your own language to see if similar walking metaphors exist, as many do around the world. For instance, Norwegian speakers say someone is "on a berry trip" to mean they’re way off track, and in Czech and French, walking references appear in common speech as well, showing the universality of this metaphor.
Try incorporating walking into your own thinking process—next time you need a creative boost, a stroll might help you 'follow your thoughts' to new insights. Watching Adam Aleksic’s TikTok videos can also deepen your understanding of the quirky and wonderful ways language shapes how we think.