Jook

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. To make a quick or sudden movement or twist; to injure someone by striking or stabbing; a term used to describe a form of casual, playful interaction characterized by teasing or joking
2. An abrupt motion or shift in position; delivering a blow or thrust with a pointed object; engaging in lighthearted banter or humor often associated with playful rivalry
3. A swift change in direction or posture; causing harm through a stabbing or striking action; informal exchanges marked by wit or joviality typically in a competitive context

Etymology: Its origin is unclear, but the sense of a quick dodge goes back at least to the 16th century. The word is most often compared with "duck" (to lower the head or body) and "jink" (to make an evasive turn), which suggest the same kind of quick, evasive motion. It may also belong with Scots "jouk", meaning to duck or dodge out of the way, though the connection is not certain. Other senses of the same spelling, such as the "wicked, disorderly" sense from Gullah and the "to poke" sense from Jamaican Creole, have separate histories and do not explain this one.

Synonyms: dance, bar, club, joint, den