Kerflop

Part of speech: noun, verb, interjection

Definitions

1. To fall heavily or collapse with a dull, loud thud or impact
2. To drop or tumble down abruptly while making a pronounced noise
3. To come down with force in a way that produces a distinct, resonant sound

Etymology: "Kerflop" is a plain compound, formed from "ker-", an imitative sound-word used to suggest a heavy, sudden fall or splash, joined to "flop," which describes a clumsy, heavy collapse or landing. The pairing works as a sound-picture: the first syllable gives the impact and the second gives the floppy motion that follows it. The word belongs to a large family of English words that build a sense of noise and motion from sound. "Flop" itself dates to the 1800s, and the "ker-" element was attached to it to intensify the image of something dropping hard, usually onto the ground or into water.

Synonyms: kerplop, plop