Chugging

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ˈt͡ʃʌɡɪŋ/

Definitions

1. Producing a repetitive puffing or rattling noise often associated with machines ; advancing in a steady, rhythmic manner while making this noise
2. Emitting a consistent series of short, sharp sounds, typical of certain engines or mechanisms ; proceeding forward smoothly with a repeated sound pattern
3. Generating a pattern of regular, sharp noises resembling chuffs or puffs ; moving forward continuously while creating a rhythmic noise

Etymology: Chugging is a sound word, built to copy the noise of an engine. The verb "chug" imitates the labored puffing of a working steam engine, and the repeated "ch-ug" rhythm carried over from the machinery to anything that moves in similar bursts. The same pattern of heavy, rhythmic effort lies behind the sense of a train or boat pushing steadily forward, which is why the word now describes both the sound and the motion together. The word has a more unpleasant side in slang. Its racial-slur sense comes from a stereotype of Native Americans supposedly drinking alcohol rapidly, a mockery that is offensive and best left unused. The same spelling also shows up in unrelated slang, such as the playful blend of "charity" and "mug" used for violently robbing people on the street, so readers meeting the word in informal contexts should check which sense is intended.

Synonyms: gulping, swigging, draining, slurping, sipping

Antonyms: sipping, tasting, sampling, nibbling