0

Is it natural to use the verb stomp in the sense of getting something off one's feet? For example:

Before you come in, please stomp off the snow of your feet.

If it is not, the what would a native English speaker say?

3
  • I think 'stomp' is mainly American. I am British, and would prefer 'stamp the snow off my shoes'. Jan 27, 2020 at 21:10
  • I'm not sure I agree there. Any dictionary or corpus evidence that stomp is mostly American?
    – James K
    Jan 27, 2020 at 21:48
  • stomp verb (UK stamp) to put a foot down on the ground hard and quickly, making a loud noise, often to show anger Cambridge Dictionary Jan 27, 2020 at 22:48

2 Answers 2

0

The use of stomp with direct object works well for me.

I would phrase it as "stomp the snow off your boots". You hopefully don't have snow on your feet. And it is not the "snow of your boots" but "stomp X off Y"

1

"Stomp" is regional dialect. While it's now included in various American dictionaries, it comes from the Standard English term "stamp." So in a place where everyone uses "stomp," it would be understood and not stand out, but technically, it's not correct in formal English. If you want to use local terms, "stomp" is fine in the U.S. But I'm an older American and when I hear the term "stomp" it still jars me because I grew up speaking Standard English.

2
  • Stomp, first recorded 1803, (in USA) so not a very new word. Stomp now has a different meaning to stamp
    – James K
    Jan 27, 2020 at 21:46
  • I kind of imagine that catfish stomping is a redneck sport. Jan 27, 2020 at 22:50

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .