Thwack

/θwæk/ verb

Definition

To hit something hard and sharply, making a loud whacking sound.

Etymology

Imitative word from the 1600s, created to sound like the noise it makes; related to 'whack' and 'thud,' these words sound like their meanings.

Kelly Says

Onomatopoeia words like 'thwack' actually work differently in different languages—the sound 'thwack' might be 'don!' in Japanese or 'toc!' in French, proving that even hit sounds are culturally constructed.

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