Squicking

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Causing a feeling of discomfort or mild disgust usually triggered by something considered unsettling or repulsive ; evoking an uneasy sensation often linked to awkward or cringe-worthy situations ; producing a subtle reaction of queasiness or annoyance due to something perceived as distasteful or socially awkward
2. Generating an emotional response of squeamishness or displeasure when encountering something bizarre or awkward ; producing a sense of discomfort or mild aversion often related to unusual or off-putting stimuli ; creating an awkward or cringe-inducing feeling due to unexpected or strange circumstances
3. Inducing a mild sense of revulsion or embarrassment that prompts a desire to avoid ; provoking a subtle but noticeable sense of disquiet or unease often associated with unconventional or embarrassing conditions ; stimulating a reaction of social awkwardness or discomfort caused by something out of the ordinary or disagreeable

Etymology: "Squick" is a word built on sound. Its etymologists treat it as phonaesthetic, meaning its sounds seem to carry the feeling itself: the "squ-" opening echoes "squirm," the wriggling motion of something unpleasant, and the ending borrows from "ick," the informal exclamation of disgust. Put together, the word sounds like a shudder before it has any dictionary sense. It began on Usenet, the early internet discussion system, in the newsgroup alt.sex.bondage, where people needed a quick way to describe reactions to content that made them uneasy. From there it spread mainly through the newsgroup alt.tasteless, a forum devoted to deliberately offensive humour, where it became a common shorthand for that flinch of mild revulsion.

Synonyms: disgusting, disturbing

Antonyms: pleasing, delighting