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Segway vs. segue

Question:

What is the origin of the word segway?

Answer:

The word segway is actually the short form of the brand name Segway® Human Transporter, a self-balancing personal transportation device. Its designers derived the name from the verb segue, which means "to move or transition smoothly from one state or topic to another." Segways allow people to go farther, move more quickly and carry more than they ever could walking.

As for the origin of segue, the sources we consulted were unanimous: the word comes from the Italian seguire (to follow), which in turn comes from the Latin sequí (to follow). Like many other English words, segue can be used both as a noun and as a verb. For example:

  • This discussion provides a nice segue into the last topic.
  • Ask for participants' reactions to segue into the next subject.