bandy-legged

Bandy-legged is used to describe someone with bandy legs—a condition in which the legs curve outward, causing the knees to point outward.

The term bowlegged (or bow-legged) means the same thing and is more common.

The condition known as bandy legs can also be called bowleg or bow legs (in which the word bow is a reference to the type of curve seen in a bow—the kind used to shoot arrows). The adjective bandy means the same thing as bowed—having a bend or crook outward.

Many young children appear to be bandy-legged, but in most cases their legs straighten as they continue to grow. However, in some cases, abnormal bowing of the legs may be caused by diseases like rickets or Blount’s disease.

Bandy-leggedness is associated with cowboys, probably due to the idea that the condition can be the result of spending too much time straddling a saddle. However, frequent horseback riding is unlikely to cause bandy legs.

Example: I was bandy-legged as a kid, but my legs straightened out by the time I was four or so.

The first records of the term bandy-legged come from the late 1600s. The adjective bandy is almost exclusively used to describe legs. The more common term bowlegged has been used since at least the mid-1500s.

It’s common for many children to appear to be bandy-legged as their legs are developing, but in most cases it does not need to be treated. This isn’t the only condition that involves an abnormal curvature of the legs. The condition known as knock-knee involves the opposite situation, in which the legs are curved inward (resulting in knees that can knock together when walking). Someone with this condition can be described as knock-kneed.

What are some other forms related to bandy-legged?

• bandy-leggedness (noun)

What are some synonyms for bandy-legged?

• bowlegged
• bow-legged

What are some words that share a root or word element with bandy–legged? 

• bandy
• leg
• one-legged

What are some words that often get used in discussing bandy–legged?

• curve
• outward
• growth
• development
• knee
• gait
• cowboy
• knock-kneed
• pigeon-toed

It’s more common to describe someone as bowlegged than bandy-legged. Such descriptions may be used in the context of medical diagnoses, but describing someone this way may be rude or insensitive.

I'm spending today doped up on painkillers and walking like a bandy-legged cowboy. Thats what happens when you have sunburnt INNER THIGHS

— Cait (@keriangan) September 5, 2010

Toilets this way for women and short, bandy-legged men in trunks pic.twitter.com/9VA6jKh7Vm

— BBC ScottishSymphony (@BBCSSO) December 22, 2017

If you ever watch a bunch of bandy legged, stumbling, zero spatial awareness, not looking where they are going 6 year olds running in a playground you will wonder how we ever make it out of childhood.

It's amazing that there isn't 40 concussions a day.

— B.A.D.T.A.S.T.E 🇮🇪🇩🇲 (@tonydpoison) September 28, 2020