To “hurkle-durkle” is a 200-year-old Scottish term that means to lounge in bed long after the time you should have gotten up. Unlike “bed rotting,” which often implies a state of depressive paralysis or doom-scrolling, hurkle-durkling is historically associated with a cozy, intentional indulgence in warmth and rest before facing the day.
In a world obsessed with 5 a.m. cold plunges and “rise and grind” culture, a centuries-old Scottish phrase has emerged to save our collective sanity. Hurkle-durkle is the antidote to hustle culture we didn’t know we needed.
While the term sounds like nonsense poetry, it is a legitimate dialect word from 19th-century Scotland that has found a second life on TikTok. It describes that specific, delicious window of time between waking up and actually getting up—where you choose to linger under the warm covers simply because it feels good.+1
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the hurkle-durkle lifestyle: its etymological roots, how it differs from “bed rotting,” the mental health implications, and how to practice it without ruining your productivity.
What Is Hurkle Durkle?
The Definition
To hurkle-durkle (verb) is to remain in bed or lounge about when one should be up and active. It is often used to describe a state of cozy indolence, where the sleeper is awake but refuses to leave the warmth of the blankets.+1
- Pronunciation: HUR-kull DUR-kull (Rhymes with “turtle circle”).
- Part of Speech: Intransitive verb.
- Usage: “I planned to go to the gym, but I decided to hurkle-durkle for an hour instead.”
The Vibe
Unlike hitting the snooze button in a panic, hurkle-durkling is often a conscious choice. It is the feeling of waking up, seeing that it is raining outside, and deciding that the most productive thing you can do is stay horizontal for another 30 minutes. It is a celebration of the “slow morning.”
The History & Etymology
While it feels like a word invented for the internet age, hurkle-durkle has deep historical roots in the Scots language.
19th Century Origins
The term was first popularized in John Jamieson’s Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language, published in 1808. Jamieson defined it as: “To lie in bed, or to lounge after it is time to get up or go to work.”
Historically, the term was likely used pejoratively. In the 1800s, unparalleled productivity was necessary for survival in rural Scotland. To be found “hurkle-durkling” when the cows needed milking or the fire needed lighting would have been seen as a sign of laziness or poor character.
Breaking Down the Word
- Hurkle: An old Scots verb meaning “to draw the limbs together” or “to crouch.” Think of the fetal position one assumes to stay warm in a cold stone cottage.
- Durkle: Likely a rhyming addition for effect, a common feature in English and Scots dialects (similar to higgledy-piggledy or argy-bargy). Some etymologists suggest links to the word “durk” or “dark,” implying lurking in the dark, but the rhyming reduplication is the most accepted theory.
Hurkle Durkle vs. Bed Rotting: The Critical Difference
With the rise of “bed rotting” on social media, it is easy to confuse the two. However, they are distinct concepts with very different psychological profiles.
| Feature | Hurkle Durkle | Bed Rotting |
| Intent | Intentional joy & coziness | Coping mechanism & avoidance |
| Duration | Short (30 mins to 2 hours) | Long (All day or weekend) |
| Activity | Reading, stretching, resting | Doom-scrolling, binge-watching |
| Feeling | Rejuvenated, indulgent | Numb, guilty, lethargic |
| Context | Morning ritual | Reaction to burnout/depression |
Why Distinction Matters
Hurkle-durkling is active rest. You are enjoying the sensation of the sheets, perhaps sipping a coffee, or mentally preparing for the day. It has a natural end point.
Bed rotting is passive consumption. It often involves ignoring biological needs (hunger, hygiene) to remain in bed as a way to hide from the world. While bed rotting is often a trauma response or a symptom of burnout, hurkle-durkling is a “soft life” luxury.
The 2024 TikTok Renaissance
The term exploded into the modern lexicon in early 2024, largely credited to American actress and singer Kira Kosarin.
The Viral Spark
In January 2024, Kosarin posted a video saying: “I just found out that the Scottish have a word for lying around in bed after it’s time to get up, and it’s called hurkle-durkling. I do be hurkling, and I do be durkling.”
The audio went viral, used in tens of thousands of videos showing people enjoying slow mornings, pets snuggling in blankets, and rejecting the toxicity of “grind culture.”
Why Now?
The trend resonated because it gave a cute, valid label to a behavior many people felt guilty about. Post-pandemic, there has been a global shift away from hyper-productivity. Trends like “Quiet Quitting,” “Soft Life,” and “Cozy Gaming” all paved the way for hurkle-durkling to be accepted as a form of self-care rather than laziness.
The Psychology of the Lie-In: Is It Healthy?
Like most things, hurkle-durkling is healthy in moderation but detrimental in excess.
The Benefits (The “Soft” Morning)
- Cortisol Regulation: Waking up abruptly causes a spike in cortisol (the stress hormone). Easing into the day allows the nervous system to regulate, potentially leading to a calmer mood throughout the day.
- Transition Time: It provides a “liminal space” between the subconscious state of sleep and the high-alert state of the workday. This can be crucial for creative thinking.
- Temperature Regulation: Staying warm in bed helps maintain the body’s comfort levels, which is psychologically soothing, especially in winter.
The Drawbacks (The “Snooze” Trap)
- Sleep Inertia: If you fall back asleep during your hurkle-durkle, you risk waking up mid-cycle, leaving you groggier than if you had risen immediately.
- Procrastination: For those with executive dysfunction (like ADHD), hurkle-durkling can quickly spiral into avoidance paralysis, where “10 more minutes” turns into two lost hours.
- Depression Link: Excessive desire to stay in bed (dysania) is a common symptom of depression. If hurkle-durkling stops feeling pleasurable and starts feeling like an inability to face the world, it may be a medical issue.
How to Hurkle Durkle Like a Pro
To get the benefits without the guilt, you need to hurkle-durkle with intention. Follow these rules for the ultimate Scottish rest experience.
1. The Setup
Don’t just wake up and grab your phone. A true hurkle-durkle requires environment control.
- Lighting: Open the curtains slightly to let natural light in. This signals to your brain that it is morning, preventing you from falling back into deep sleep.
- Warmth: Ensure your duvet is pulled up high. The contrast between the cold room air and the warm bed is essential.
2. The Activity (No Scrolling)
The biggest mistake is doom-scrolling social media. This spikes dopamine and anxiety. Instead:
- Read: Keep a book on your nightstand.
- Journal: Write down three intentions for the day.
- Listen: Put on a podcast or calm music.
- Cuddle: This is prime time for partners, pets, or kids.
3. The Time Limit
Set a “Hard Out.” Hurkle-durkling is delicious because it is finite.
- The “Double Alarm”: Set your first alarm for when you want to wake up, and a second “Get Up” alarm for 30 minutes later. The time between is your dedicated hurkle zone.
Global Cousins: The Art of Doing Nothing
The Scots aren’t the only ones who mastered the art of relaxation. Hurkle-durkling fits into a global family of anti-stress concepts.
Hygge (Denmark)
While Hygge focuses on coziness and conviviality (candles, blankets, friends), hurkle-durkling is more solitary and specific to the bed. However, a hurkle-durkle session is definitely hygge.
Niksen (Netherlands)
Niksen is the Dutch concept of doing nothing—staring out a window or sitting in a chair with no purpose. Hurkle-durkling is essentially Niksen performed horizontally.
Inemuri (Japan)
Inemuri means “sleeping while present” (e.g., napping on a train or at a desk). This is the opposite of hurkle-durkling. Inemuri is efficient napping to work harder; hurkle-durkling is inefficient resting to feel better.
Seasonal Guide to Hurkle Durkling
Winter: The Prime Season
This is the Olympics of hurkle-durkling.
- Why: It is dark outside. It is cold. The heating hasn’t kicked in yet.
- Pro Tip: Preheat your robe on a radiator so the transition out of bed is less painful.
Summer: The Sunny Doze
- Why: The sun hits the sheets early, creating a warm, lazy atmosphere.
- Pro Tip: Throw the windows open to let the morning breeze in while you stay under a lighter sheet. Listen to the birds.
Practical Information and Planning
While you can hurkle-durkle anywhere, some environments are better suited than others.
Best Environments
- Bedding: High thread count sheets and a weighted blanket enhance the experience significantly.
- Temperature: A room temperature of 16-18°C (60-65°F) is ideal for sleep, making the warmth of the bed even more enticing in the morning.
When NOT to Hurkle Durkle
- Work Days: Unless you work from home, keep weekday sessions to 15 minutes max to avoid stress.
- Important Events: If you have a flight to catch or a wedding to attend, the hurkle-durkle is a dangerous game. Save it for Sundays.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “hurkle-durkle” mean literally? “Hurkle” means to crouch or draw limbs together (like a fetal position), and “durkle” is a rhythmic addition that implies lurking or lingering. It literally describes the physical act of curling up in bed.
Is hurkle-durkling just laziness? No. Laziness implies an unwillingness to work. Hurkle-durkling is a temporary, restorative pause. Historically it may have been viewed as lazy, but modern psychology views it as a form of rest and self-regulation.
How do I pronounce hurkle-durkle? It is pronounced HUR-kull DUR-kull. The “u” sound is short, like in “purple” or “turtle.”
What is the difference between hurkle-durkling and sleeping in? Sleeping in means you remain asleep/unconscious past your usual time. Hurkle-durkling happens after you wake up. You are conscious, awake, and aware you should be up, but you choose to stay in bed.
Who started the hurkle-durkle trend? The word is 200 years old, but the 2024 viral trend is credited to actress Kira Kosarin, whose TikTok video introduced the term to millions of Gen Z and Millennial users.
Is hurkle-durkling a symptom of ADHD? It can be. People with ADHD often struggle with “task initiation” (getting started). The transition from the dopamine-rich comfort of bed to the boring tasks of the morning is difficult, leading to prolonged lying in bed. This is often called “ADHD paralysis.”
Can I hurkle-durkle on a weekday? Yes, if you plan for it. Waking up 20 minutes earlier than necessary specifically to lie there and do nothing can actually make your morning feel less rushed and more controlled.
Is there a noun for a person who hurkle-durkles? While not official, you could call them a “Hurkler.” Historically, there wasn’t a specific noun, just the verb usage.
Does hurkle-durkling affect sleep hygiene? It can. Sleep experts generally recommend using the bed only for sleep and sex to keep the brain’s association strong. However, a short period of relaxing upon waking is generally considered harmless compared to using the bed for work or eating.
What is the “Soft Life” movement? The “Soft Life” is a social media movement encouraging people (particularly Black women) to reject struggle and hardship in favor of ease, comfort, and low stress. Hurkle-durkling fits perfectly into this aesthetic of prioritizing personal comfort over productivity.
Is hurkle-durkling the same as a depression nap? No. A depression nap is usually taken to escape negative feelings or due to extreme fatigue. Hurkle-durkling is typically a morning activity done for pleasure and coziness, not avoidance of pain.
What is the Scottish translation of “bed rotting”? There isn’t a direct translation, but “hurkle-durkle” is the closest positive equivalent. A more negative Scots term might be a “scunner” (a feeling of aversion/disgust) towards the day, keeping you in bed.
Can pets hurkle-durkle? Absolutely. Cats are the masters of the hurkle-durkle. If your dog or cat stays in bed after you wake up, stretching and refusing to move, they are participating in the ritual.
Is it better to hurkle-durkle or exercise? Physically, exercise is “better.” But mentally, sometimes the rest is what you need. A balanced approach might be to hurkle-durkle for 15 minutes and then do a 15-minute stretch, rather than skipping one for the other entirely.
Why do Scots have so many words for weather and rest? Scotland’s climate (often cold, dark, and rainy) necessitates a strong vocabulary for staying warm, cozy, and dealing with the elements. Words like gloaming (twilight) and coorie (to snuggle/nestle) reflect this culture of indoor comfort.
