Sudden loud sounds of thunder that you hear when lightning strikes during a storm, often causing a sharp cracking noise.
Combination of 'thunder' (from Old English þunor, related to the thunder god Thor) and 'clap' (an onomatopoetic word for a sharp sound). The term literally describes the sound as a 'clap' of thunder.
Thunder isn't actually one continuous rumble—it's created by lightning superheating air so fast that it explodes and creates a shock wave, which is why the 'clap' is so sharp and sudden!
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