The word "cackle" /ˈkækəl/ is a verb that means to emit a loud, shrill laugh, usually characteristic of a hen. The IPA phonetic transcription shows how the word is pronounced in terms of individual speech sounds. The first sound is a voiceless velar stop /k/, followed by a short vowel /æ/ and a voiceless velar fricative /k/. The second syllable consists only of a schwa /ə/ sound. The word ends with a voiceless alveolar fricative /l/. Understanding IPA transcription can help us accurately spell and pronounce words.
Cackle is a verb that refers to the loud, raucous, and contagious sound that a person or animal makes when they laugh or express amusement in an exaggerated and high-pitched manner. It involves a series of sharp, short bursts of laughter that are often associated with a sense of delight or wickedness.
The term "cackle" typically signifies a distinct and harsh tone, and it is commonly used to describe the laughter or vocalization of hens, witches, or individuals who find extreme amusement in something. The sound is often characterized as shrill, piercing, and characterized by a rapid succession of short bursts, creating a distinctive chuckling or chortling noise.
Cackling is generally perceived as an expression of joy or amusement, but it can also imply a sense of mocking or derision, depending on the context. It is particularly associated with laughter that is loud, uncontrollable, and somewhat unsettling, evoking a feeling of uneasiness or discomfort. The sound can be heard in various situations, including comedy, witchcraft depictions, or moments of intense hilarity.
Additionally, "cackle" can also be used as a noun to refer to the act or sound of cackling, such as "The room was filled with the cackle of laughter." Overall, the term "cackle" denotes a distinctive and animated form of laughter that is often characterized by its unconventional sound and association with joy, mischief, or ridicule.
• To make a noise like a hen or other domestic fowl; to make a silly noise.
• The noise of a fowl, as a hen; idle talk.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "cackle" originated from Middle English "cakelen", which is derived from the Old English word "ceacelian". This Old English term meant "to cackle, chatter, or clatter". The word shares a common Germanic root with related words in other Germanic languages, such as Old Norse "kaka" (to chatter) and Middle Dutch "kakelen" (to cackle), highlighting its ancient origins. The onomatopoeic nature of the word reflects the sound of a cackling laugh or the vocalizations of certain birds, such as hens.