Conks

/kɑŋks/ verb

Definition

Third person singular of 'conk,' meaning to hit, strike, or stop working (especially 'conks out' meaning to break down or fall asleep suddenly).

Etymology

From the onomatopoeia 'conk' representing the sound of impact; the '-s' marks third-person singular present tense (as in 'the engine conks out').

Kelly Says

English speakers are naturally drawn to onomatopoetic words like 'conk' because they sound like what they mean—your brain instantly gets it, which is why 'conk out' spread so quickly through English without anyone needing to explain it!

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