As a verb, to hit means to strike something or someone with force, or to reach or achieve a particular target or level. As a noun, a hit can be a successful blow, a popular song or show, or a successful result.
From Old English “hyttan,” meaning “to meet or reach,” possibly from a Scandinavian source. The word shifted from simply “meet” to “strike” and then to “successfully reach a goal.”
The same word describes punching someone and topping the music charts—that’s how strongly we link impact with success. A “hit” is anything that lands exactly where it was aimed, whether it’s a ball, a joke, or a movie. The idea of contact quietly turned into the idea of cultural power.
‘Hit’ is neutral in some senses (success, impact) but in the context of physical violence it intersects with gendered patterns, such as domestic violence and violence against women and gender minorities. Language like ‘he hit her’ has sometimes been softened in reporting, obscuring power dynamics.
When discussing violence, be precise about who is harmed and avoid minimizing; don’t use ‘hit’ metaphorically in ways that trivialize real abuse.
["strike","success (for nonviolent sense)","impact"]
In conversations about violence, recognize the work of women’s shelters, advocates, and researchers who have documented and challenged gender-based violence.
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