In American slang, “take a hike” is often used to tell someone to go away. But as the Appalachian Trail Conservancy celebrates its 100th anniversary, the organization is working to reframe the phrase — shifting its meaning to encourage more people to embrace nature.
“Look, I’m not saying hiking solves everything,” comedian and actor Kevin Nealon said in a news release. “But I’ve never seen anyone come back from the woods angry. Hungry, maybe, but not angry.”
The ATC is partnering with Nealon to promote their new petition to have major dictionary publishers, including Merriam-Webster and the Oxford English Dictionary, add a new definition to the phrase: “a friendly invitation to reset, recharge, and reconnect with the outdoors.”
The campaign hopes to remind people that hiking is a simp