clink etymology

Etymology

The word "clink" is derived from the Middle English word "clinken," which likely originated from the Old English verb "clincian," meaning "to ring or sound." The word "clink" has been used in English since the 13th century.

Meaning

The word "clink" has several meanings:

• A sharp, metallic sound: This is the most common meaning of the word. For example, "The keys clinked in my pocket."
• A prison: This slang term for prison originated in the 18th century, likely due to the sound of metal bars and chains in prisons.
• A drink of alcohol: This informal term is used primarily in British English.
• A nightclub or dance club: This usage is common in American English.

Origin

The original meaning of "clink" as a metallic sound likely comes from the onomatopoeic nature of the word. The sharp, short sound of metal striking metal is imitated in the word itself.

The word's use as a slang term for prison may have come from the sound of metal bars and chains in prisons. This usage is likely influenced by the word's earlier association with metallic sounds.

The informal use of "clink" to refer to a drink of alcohol may have originated as a euphemism for the sound of ice cubes clinking in a glass.

The term "clink" for a nightclub or dance club likely comes from the sound of glasses clinking together, which is a common occurrence in such establishments.

clink relate terms

• clank

  Etymology Origin Onomatopoeia imitating the sharp sound of a metallic object hitting

• clang

  Etymology The word clang is derived from the Middle English word clongen which in tu

• clink

  Etymology The word clink is derived from the Middle English word clinken which likel

• clinker

  Etymology The word clinker derives from the Middle Dutch word klinkert which referre

• clink

  Etymology The word clink is derived from the Middle English word clinken which likel

• clench

  Etymology and Meaning The word clench has multiple origins and meanings Origin 1 Mid

• clinch

  Etymology The word clinch derives from the Middle English word clenchen which is it

• jail

  Etymology The word jail derives from the Old French word jaiole or gaiole which i

• gaol

  Etymology The word gaol originates from the Old North French word gaole meaning ca

• click

  Etymology The word click originated from the Middle English word clicken which itse

• clique

  Etymology The word clique comes from the French word cliquetis which means a rattli

• lock up

  Etymology and Origin The phrase lock up originated in the middle of the 16th century as

• Bastille

  Etymology The word Bastille is derived from the French word bastide which means fo

• knit

  Etymology The word knit comes from the Old English word cnyttan which means to tie

• sound

  Etymology From Middle English sound from Old English sund from Proto Germanic sunðaz

• goal

  Etymology The word goal derives from the Old French word gole meaning throat or