Onomatopoeia: [on-uh-mat-uh-pee-uh, ‐mah-tuh‐] 1. the formation of a word, as cuckoo, meow, honk, or boom, by imitation of a sound made by or associated with its referent. 2. a word so formed. 3. the use of imitative and naturally suggestive words for rhetorical, dramatic, or poetic effect.
There's the obvious buzz, wham, tick tock and then there's the pure joy I get from even saying the word. Onomatopoeia rolls off the tongue like Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and simply makes me happy. Someone really should honor the word with a song (don't worry, it won't be me) and the melody it inspires.
It already brings to life so many of our favorite nursery rhymes like Baa Baa Black Sheep and Old MacDonald. What Mom has not spent countless hours perfecting her perfect woof, moo, meow, and quack? And to honor O, there's ouch, ow, and oink.
Now that my children are getting older and approaching the teenage years at a rate I cannot control or slow, I have new appreciation for onomatopoeia. Words like mumble, huff, huh, hiss, growl, chatter, screech, sniff, ugh, whisper, and so on.
What's your favorite example of onomatopoeia?
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6 comments:
Oh! I remember the first time my english teacher taught this in school. I'm fascinated.
Elizabeth
A to Z co-host
I'm a word nerd, too. (Is this some sort of a twelve-step program?) And I love onomatopoeia, both the word itself and the other words it defines. Favorite examples? Ooh, hard to pick, but how about kerplop, kapow, and oom-pah-pah?
Elizabeth, All day I've been thinking in word-sounds. So fun!
Susan, I don't want the cure! And I love kerplop and kerpow. Wish I had thought of them for K. ;-)
Does Bada-bing Bada-boom qualify as onomatopoeia?
Having boys, I've become ultra-aware of onomatopaeia. Boys love to crash, boom, bang, roar, and so much more. It's fun to hear what they come up with. Great post!
Fairview, In my house it is. ;-)
Julie, I totally understand. I have active girls, so I get the grumbles and the boom-bangs.
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