Talk:gulp

gulp
rfv-sense verb "to nervously swallow spit". DCDuring 02:13, 29 November 2007 (UTC)


 * I can see where that distinction comes from, a big drink of soda (one of the convenience store chains has a "Big Gulp" drink) versus the nervous sense. Globish 07:41, 29 November 2007 (UTC)


 * Plenty of supporting bgc hits using gulp nervously to search with. - Algrif 08:41, 29 November 2007 (UTC)


 * But this sense includes nervously in the meaning of gulp and specifically talks about spit. I wonder whether this is an attempt to capture something I never notice in real life, but recall from cartoons and movies: the use of a visible and, in cartoons and other humor, often audible gulp to indicate fear or nervousness after some kind of threat is perceived. In live performance, it would be accompanied by movement of the head. I wonder whether it is a theatrical device and mentioned somewhere as such. DCDuring 11:16, 29 November 2007 (UTC)


 * Cited. Definitions may need some further adjustment. More cites available, if I've missed something. DCDuring 01:33, 30 November 2007 (UTC)


 * Definitely a distinct sense and should have an entry. The current band-aid sense "To react nervously" is way too broad.  By that definition, *any* nervous tick counts as gulping. Language Lover 02:49, 5 December 2007 (UTC)


 * You are so right. I've added "by swallowing" but that's a band-aid on a band aid. Most dictionaries seem to have more senses for this. There is also a stage gulp which may help illuminate the literary use of "gulp" or "(gulp)" to indicate an audible involuntary nervous reaction. DCDuring 03:00, 5 December 2007 (UTC)

The first sense of "to swallow" still seems inadequate to me (yes, I know it isn't the sense that's marked for discusssion, but...). I interpret "He swallowed his soda" and "He gulped his soda" very differently. For me, the verb swallow: is a simple normal action, but gulp: implies rapid, noisy action. Do others here have that same impression? --EncycloPetey 03:23, 5 December 2007 (UTC)


 * Yup. Transitive and intransitive. Real and virtual. feigned/acted. DCDuring 03:49, 5 December 2007 (UTC)


 * Agreed. Hence gulp down. Algrif 11:02, 5 December 2007 (UTC)