Splutters

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To make a series of uneven, explosive noises while speaking or inhaling, indicative of agitation or distress
2. To release short, sporadic bursts of sound that resemble a sputtering effect, often tied to emotional intensity
3. To produce bursts of incoherent or erratic sounds during speech, often reflecting excitement or confusion

Etymology: "Splutters" is the third-person singular form of "splutter", so the history belongs to the verb. The verb grew out of a noun that was formed by imitation: the sound itself, a wet, spitting burst of noise, was the model for the word. The most surprising part of the story is the claim that the word may be a modification of "God's blood", an old oath. Oaths of this kind were common in English, and their sounds were often altered into milder forms that offended less, so a sputtering exclamation could plausibly have come from something sharper. This link is offered as a possibility rather than a settled fact. Whatever its origin, the word's meaning follows the sound. Someone who splutters is making short, broken noises, usually while choking, spitting, or struggling to speak, which is why the verb is so often tied to strong feeling such as outrage or embarrassment.

Synonyms: spits, fumbles, stammers