What is the verb that maches backpack?

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LeTyan

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Hi,

I understand we can say "put on your hat/clothes..."

But what about backpack? Can we say "put on your backpack?" What is the correct verb/phrasal verb for backpack?


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probus

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Probably the best is shoulder your pack. Depending on the context you could also pick up, put on, don, lug, hoist and even schlep it.
 

LeTyan

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As for backpack, what is the difference between "shoulder" and "put on"?
 

probus

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Shoulder bears a slight connotation that the pack was heavy,.
 

emsr2d2

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I would say that the most simple description is that you pick it up and put it on.

I agreed with all of probus' suggestions except "schlep" which, as far as I'm aware, means to walk a long way to get somewhere.

If you think I'm schlepping all the way over to the other side of town at this time of night to get you a bagel, think again!
 

MikeNewYork

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I would say that the most simple description is that you pick it up and put it on.

I agreed with all of probus' suggestions except "schlep" which, as far as I'm aware, means to walk a long way to get somewhere.

If you think I'm schlepping all the way over to the other side of town at this time of night to get you a bagel, think again!

In the transitive use, "schlep" means to carry or haul something.
 

emsr2d2

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In the transitive use, "schlep" means to carry or haul something.

OK, but even so, I thought the OP wanted the word for actually picking the backpack up and putting it on your shoulders. I don't call that "carrying" or "hauling" it.
 

MikeNewYork

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OK, but even so, I thought the OP wanted the word for actually picking the backpack up and putting it on your shoulders. I don't call that "carrying" or "hauling" it.

I agree.
 

probus

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I think that insofar as schlep has been borrowed into English it is mainly used around New York and Los Angeles. Although in Yiddish it meant drag in regional English it means any kind of mindless labour or physical task.
 
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