LEG (a word of Scandinavian origin, from the Old

See also:

• NORWEGIAN

Norwegian leggr, cf. Swed. lagg,

See also:

• DAN

Dan. laeg; the O. Eng. word was sceanca, shank)  , the general name for those limbs in animals which support and move the body, and in man for the lower limbs of the body (see ANATOMY, Superficial and Artistic; SKELETON, Appendicular; MUSCULAR SYSTEM) . The word is in common use for many objects which resemble the leg in shape or function . As a slang term, " leg," a shortened form of " blackleg," has been in use since the end of the 18th century for a swindler, especially in connexion with racing or gambling . The term " blackleg " is now also applied by trade-unionists to a workman who, during a strike or lockout, continues working or is brought to take the place of the withdrawn workers .