* To walk heavily and slowly, especially because of weariness or the weight one is carrying.
However, the word's usage might have been influenced by the context of the time:
* The Great Depression: People might have "trudged" to work, to the soup kitchen, or to find any available job.
* Dust Bowl: Farmers and their families "trudged" across the country, seeking a better life.
* World War II looming: There was a sense of uncertainty and hardship, which could be reflected in the word's usage.
Examples:
* "He trudged through the snow, his boots heavy with mud."
* "They trudged along the dusty road, their faces etched with weariness."
* "She trudged to the factory every morning, hoping for a better day."
In short, "trudge" in 1939 America likely reflected the difficult realities of the time, emphasizing the weariness and struggle that many people experienced.