Making repeated sharp, snapping sounds like those of breaking wood or electricity.
From Middle English 'cracklen,' an imitative word meant to sound like what it describes. The '-ling' suffix comes from Old English and indicates repeated or continuous action.
Crackling is an onomatopoeia—the word literally sounds like what it describes, with the sharp 'crack' mimicking the sound itself, making it one of the most honest words in English!
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