name that sound!

[rydia57]

I'm having trouble... I'm writing a story, and the main character is making a sound that I can't think of the name for. She takes a quick breath in thru the teeth. I've seen people do this hundreds of times, but I can't think of the name for it. I know it's not a gasp, or hiss, or huff or pant. I asked six people while at the library, I just imitated the sound... no one knew. So does anyone know... or should I just settle for a sigh? Hope someone can help.

 

[keeblercrumb]

I'm having trouble... I'm writing a story, and the main character is making a sound that I can't think of the name for. She takes a quick breath in thru the teeth. I've seen people do this hundreds of times, but I can't think of the name for it. I know it's not a gasp, or hiss, or huff or pant. I asked six people while at the library, I just imitated the sound... no one knew. So does anyone know... or should I just settle for a sigh? Hope someone can help.

More like a "gasp" perhaps? I think "gasp" would encompass a variety of actual sounds made in surprise or excitement.

Not that I get that reaction much.

-KC

 

[cantdog]

One "sucks air through the teeth" or "hisses on an indrawn breath". There is no single word term for it in English.

 

[Guest]

One "sucks air through the teeth" or "hisses on an indrawn breath". There is no single word term for it in English.

Ayuh.

 

[keeblercrumb]

Ayuh.

I love the way you suck air through your teeth.



-KC

 

[geni925]

I've only ever heard it described as a "sharp intake of breath" I think that conveys what you are trying to describe, the context will then indicate her mindset to the reader ie horror, shock etc.

Good luck tho!

 

[Erosian]

"wince"

 

[cantdog]

More like a "gasp" perhaps? I think "gasp" would encompass a variety of actual sounds made in surprise or excitement.

Not that I get that reaction much.

-KC

A gasp refers to an intake of the breath. If you need it to be one syllable, as for a poem, that may be your best option.

 

[jomar]

Interesting question. We all know exactly what you mean, but... Eskimos probably have a word for it, but I don't know what it is.

 

[evanslily]

You mean the noise that plumbers make when you ask them what's wrong with your plumbing? The noise they make when you ask them how much it's going to cost and how long it's gonna take?

I've used 'hissed through his teeth' before now. Best description I've found for it. But I'd love to know if there was a word that described it better.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Such a sexy sound, too. It says so much about our society that there is no name for it!

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

Rydia, the only discriptions I've read are :

"...breath sucked through his teeth" and "...a low whistle as his breath was sucked through his teeth."

Sucked seems to be the operative word.

 

[tolyk]

I've only ever heard it described as a "sharp intake of breath" I think that conveys what you are trying to describe, the context will then indicate her mindset to the reader ie horror, shock etc.

Good luck tho!

That's how I've always heard it too, and was what I was immediately thinking.

 

[Oblimo]

Once, I cheated:

"She scraped a lip with her teeth and made a hissy-kissy noise."

But that was meant to describe a slow and deliberate action.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Once, I cheated:

"She scraped a lip with her teeth and made a hissy-kissy noise."

But that was meant to describe a slow and deliberate action.

That's good because it also gives a sense of her emotions as well.

"She sucked an ecstatic breath between her teeth."

"She sucked breath between sneering lips."

"She drew an angry breath."

"She pulled air in through pleasure-clenched teeth."

 

[tickledkitty]

"She pulled air in through pleasure-clenched teeth."

Ooohh, I like that.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Ooohh, I like that.

Me too.

 

[gauchecritic]

Sadsanta or 'suck-through-teeth Pranayama': a breathing exercise.

 

[rydia57]

That's good because it also gives a sense of her emotions as well.

"She sucked an ecstatic breath between her teeth."

"She sucked breath between sneering lips."

"She drew an angry breath."

"She pulled air in through pleasure-clenched teeth."

Hey that is the sound the plumber makes when he's going over your problem! I guess there is no one word to describe it. I'm glad you all knew the sound I was trying to describe tho! The "She pulled air through pleasure-clenched teeth" does sound really nice tho, I'll go with that. Thanx all!

 

[Oblimo]

Me too.

"When you catch an adjective, kill it. No, I don't mean utterly, but kill most of them--then the rest will be valuable. They weaken when they are close together. They give strength when they are wide apart. An adjective habit, or a wordy, diffuse, flowery habit, once fastened upon a person, is as hard to get rid of as any other vice...Oh, wait, you're writing porn? Carry on, then, my good man."
-Mark Twain​

 

[Oblimo]

The "She pulled air through pleasure-clenched teeth" does sound really nice tho.

Indeed it do. If, however, the context of sentence already makes it clear she's having an orgasm or just a rockin' good time, you don't need the "pleasure" just the "clenched." Consider:

"He kissed her clit into his mouth. She pulled air through clenched teeth."​

vs.

"She hunched atop the toilet seat. She pulled air through clenched teeth."​

Context is everything.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Indeed it do. If, however, the context of sentence already makes it clear she's having an orgasm or just a rockin' good time, you don't need the "pleasure" just the "clenched." Consider:

"He kissed her clit into his mouth. She pulled air through clenched teeth."​

vs.

"She hunched atop the toilet seat. She pulled air through clenched teeth."​

Context is everything.

Stella's second* rule; when you're writing erotica you spread it with a trowel, understand?


* The first rule is "Less Is More"

The second is "Too Much Is Never Enough."

 

[maggot420]

Stella's second* rule; when you're writing erotica you spread it with a trowel, understand?


* The first rule is "Less Is More"

The second is "Too Much Is Never Enough."

How many second rules do you have?
While incredibly charming I imagine it to be difficult to keep track of them...i am admittedly easily confused however.

 

[SlickTony]

Sadsanta or 'suck-through-teeth Pranayama': a breathing exercise.

Yeah, but for people who aren't into Yoga that's gonna be too obscure.

 

[gauchecritic]

Yeah, but for people who aren't into Yoga that's gonna be too obscure.

I just typed 'suck through teeth' into dicdotcom and that was the best there was. :shrug smiley: