limbo

noun

1. Alternative letter-case form of limbo (“a type of antisubmarine mortar installed on naval vessels”).

verb

Etymology: Origin uncertain; possibly an alteration of limber (“bendable, flexible, pliant”) with the ending of the word respelled to represent a Caribbean English pronunciation. It is unclear whether the verb is derived from the noun, or the noun is derived from the verb; the noun is attested slightly earlier.

1. To dance the limbo (etymology 2, noun etymology 2, noun sense 1).

   “Steve Becker was rolling around with the other skaters at the Pismo Beach, Calif. roller rink one day when it was announced that there would be a limbo contest. […] Steve had his friends set the bar lower and lower while he got flatter and flatter, until finally, at just over a foot and almost spread-eagled, he reached his limboing limit.”

   “The race begins at Alyeska Resort with an alpine skiing leg. It then proceeds through a downhill sprint, an in-line skate, a mountain bike ride, a 5K run, a wheelchair obstacle course and, if all that wasn't enough, a three-legged race in which participants chug a beer or soda before limboing under the tape.”

2. Often followed by under: to pass under something, especially while bending backwards.

   “How low can you go? Technology stocks limboed lower and lower last week as investors danced to the profit-taking beat.”

   “Ahn slept over on Friday night, and as soon as the parents were asleep, Dana and Ahn limboed under the criss-cross barriers into the secret chamber.”