Smacked

/smækt/ verb

Definition

hit or struck someone or something with a sharp blow, often making a sharp sound.

Etymology

From Middle Low German 'smacken,' related to Dutch 'smakken.' The word is likely imitative, mimicking the sound of impact. It entered English through trade and contact with Low German speakers.

Kelly Says

Smack is one of those beautiful onomatopoetic words that sounds like its meaning—and interestingly, most languages have similar-sounding words for hitting (Spanish 'smaca,' German 'Schlag'). It suggests humans universally connect certain sounds to physical impact.

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