To jab or prod something with a finger, stick, or similar object; to thrust repeatedly.
From Middle English and Old Germanic roots, possibly related to 'poach' or similar prodding verbs. The word has been used since medieval times to describe poking fires, nudging animals, or physically prodding people. It evolved into modern slang meanings like 'poke' on social media platforms.
Poking is universal—humans and animals all poke to investigate or provoke—but only humans created the verb for it; linguistically, we're obsessed with naming the specific gesture of 'jab with intent' across so many contexts from cooking to fighting to now, digital interaction.
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