Almost onomatopoeia

[AG31]

There are some words that just seem so right for what they refer to, without being onomatopoeiac like cuckoo or sizzle. Can you think of any?

Here are my first offerings

smegma - what got me thinking about this

glass - just so smooth and sharp at the same time

I tossed "fuzzy" around for a while. I decided it bordered on onomotapoeiac, even though there's no sound involved.

 

[SamanthaBehgs]

I've always thought of sizzle as an onomatopoeia

 

[StillStunned]

Granola
Kerchief
Spittle

 

[UsuallyPresent]

Ocean
Breeze
Pulse

It's also in HOW you say 'em. Exaggerate the 'sh' sound in Ocean ('ossshun') for example.

 

[Bramblethorn]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bouba/kiki_effect

 

[TheLobster]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bouba/kiki_effect

While fascinating, I think this is a different phenomenon. It refers to the synesthetic association of language sounds and shapes, or perhaps some pre-verbal legacy shared by all humans; whereas here we’re just talking about words that aren’t meant to resemble sounds but do so nonetheless.

Anyway, my vote goes to “simmer”, as it sounds exactly like the quiet clatter of a metal cover of a pot that’s slowly boiling on the stove.

 

[Off_base]

Wanker
Boss
oblong

 

[kreemi_pi]

There are some words that just seem so right for what they refer to, without being onomatopoeiac like cuckoo or sizzle. Can you think of any?

Here are my first offerings

smegma - what got me thinking about this

glass - just so smooth and sharp at the same time

I tossed "fuzzy" around for a while. I decided it bordered on onomotapoeiac, even though there's no sound involved.

Thong is onomatopaoetic

The sound a thong makes when you stretch it out and shoot it at your partner like a rubber band

 

[kreemi_pi]

I once went with some friends to the desert, and we took onomotoPeyote

 

[kreemi_pi]

...and...

WHY OH WHY is the concept of onomatopoeia named with a word THAT DOES NOT SOUND LIKE ANYTHING

 

[TheLobster]

On a second reading of OP, I think I must’ve misunderstood, and we are actually talking about the bouba/kiki effect.

 

[kreemi_pi]

Fuck is kinda

fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck ahhhhh

 

[kreemi_pi]

On a second reading of OP, I think I must’ve misunderstood, and we are actually talking about the bouba/kiki effect.

I'm told i have nice boubas

And my kiki's a little wet

 

[ElectricBlue]

Sussuration - I use it often for the sound of rain outside, falling on leaves or the raindrops hitting a window.

 

[TheLobster]

*tries to resist the temptation to start the next story with: A susurrus breeze rustled the swirling leaves.*

 

[kreemi_pi]

There are some words that just seem so right for what they refer to, without being onomatopoeiac like cuckoo or sizzle. Can you think of any?

Here are my first offerings

smegma - what got me thinking about this

glass - just so smooth and sharp at the same time

I tossed "fuzzy" around for a while. I decided it bordered on onomotapoeiac, even though there's no sound involved.

Oh i'm not doing this right at all!

I apologize, I didn't read the post correctly.

Sometimes I'm such a...

...doofus

 

[BearNextDoor]

Crystal seems right for this
Agitate
Swamp

 

[MelissaBaby]

I've always thought of sizzle as an onomatopoeia

If it was just "sizz" it would be onomatopoetic, but the "le" had to come along and ruin it.