The term was recorded first in the English language around 1400 in The Tale of Beryn: "The hoost ... set his hond in kenebowe." In the 17th century, the word was spelled on kenbow, a kenbow, a kenbol, a kenbold, or on kimbow. It may be cognate with German Kniebeuge (knee bend). The forms akembo and akimbo are found in the 18th century, with akimbo gradually becoming the standard. Akimbo (band)|Akimbo]] is an American hardcore band from Seattle, Washington.