Yock

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. A loud, hearty burst of laughter, often coarse or boisterous in its sound
2. An uproarious laugh that comes out noisily, typically from amusement at something funny
3. Boisterous, full-throated laughter that is usually informal and somewhat rough in character

Etymology: "Yock" is American slang for a loud, hearty laugh, usually a boisterous one. It is most often heard in the phrase "yuks and yocks," where the pair builds a rhythm of repeated laughter. The word appears to be an imitation of the sound itself, so its spelling tracks how the laugh is pronounced rather than any older word. Its closest relative is "yuk," a variant spelling of the same laugh. The origin of "yock" is not well documented. Because it is informal and recorded mainly in American speech, dictionaries give little precise history, so its exact first use and any direct source remain unclear.

Synonyms: laugh, guffaw, chuckle, chortle, cackle