pop
/pɒp/
verb
Origin
English
imitative — sound of an explosion
Overview
Meaning Now
- To make a short, explosive, often muffled sound.
- To move, go, or put something quickly or suddenly.
- To open or break with a sudden burst.
Literal older meaning
An imitative sound of a sudden burst or report.
Language path
English
Earliest form
poppen
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The word is considered onomatopoeic, reflecting the physical reality of a sound rather than deriving from a Proto-Indo-European root. It gained significant informal status in American English during the 19th century to describe quick movements and the carbonated drink.
Evolution
- 14. yüzyıl
poppen
“to strike or tap”
Represented the sound of a sharp impact.
- 16. yüzyıl
pop
“a sudden explosive sound”
Usage shifted to describe sounds of small bursts.
- 19. yüzyıl
pop
“to move quickly”
Metaphorical extension based on suddenness.
Connections
Word parts
pop
root
explosive sound
Related across languages
Low German
pobben
to make a sharp sound
Explore next
Related to pop
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.