The expression "struck dumb" refers to a moment of speechlessness or loss of words after being stunned, surprised, or shocked. The phonetic transcription of this phrase is /strʌk dʌm/. The term "struck" is pronounced as /strʌk/ and "dumb" as /dʌm/. The "u" in "struck" and "dumb" is pronounced as a short "uh" sound. It is often used in literary contexts or to describe the effects of a traumatic event such as witnessing a violent crime or hearing unexpected news.
The term "struck dumb" refers to a state of being rendered speechless or unable to utter any words due to shock, astonishment, or an overwhelming emotional or physical impact. It is a figurative expression derived from the literal meaning of "strike" as a sudden or forceful blow or impact, and "dumb" meaning silent or unable to speak.
When someone is "struck dumb," they are temporarily deprived of the ability to articulate their thoughts or voice their opinions. It often occurs in situations where an individual encounters something profoundly unexpected or shocking, leaving them utterly speechless, perhaps with a blank expression or with their mouth open in surprise.
This expression can also be used metaphorically to describe a situation or event that leaves others in a state of astonishment or speechlessness, similar to the reaction of an individual who has been physically "struck dumb." It indicates a level of incredulity or surprise that leaves individuals unable to find the right words to express their emotions or thoughts.
Overall, "struck dumb" captures the idea of being silenced or stunned by a sudden and impactful occurrence, whether it be due to extreme shock, awe, or sheer astonishment, resulting in a temporary loss of verbal communication abilities.
The phrase "struck dumb" has its roots in the Middle English word "dumb", which means "unable to speak" or "silent". The word "dumb" came from the Old English word "dumb", which had the same meaning. This Old English word was derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*dumbaz". Interestingly, in the early days, the word "dumb" didn't have the negative connotation that it has today—they simply referred to someone who couldn't speak. Over time, the combination of the word "struck" and "dumb" came to be used to describe a person who was rendered speechless due to a strong emotion or shock, such as surprise, fear, or astonishment.