Indian file
English
Etymology
Attested since the 1700s, because Native Americans traversed woods in this way.
Noun
- (especially US, uncommon) Single file.
- 1791, Voyages And Travels Of An Indian Interpreter And Trader, page 69:
- In about an hour they returned very much intoxicated, singing their dead war songs, and every warrior naked, painted black from head to foot: as they approached the house in Indian file, each one repeated the following words […]
- 1791, Voyages And Travels Of An Indian Interpreter And Trader, page 69:
Usage notes
- Usually used as walk (march, approach, etc) Indian file (adverbially) or walk in Indian file. Until the 1800s, the form walk in an Indian file was sometimes encountered.