singultus

[prettygoodword]

singultus (sing-GUHL-tuhs) - n., (med.) a hiccup.


That is, the technical jargon for a reflex spasm of the diaphragm accompanied by a rapid closure of the glottis producing an audible sound. Note the stress is on the second syllable. Borrowed from medical Latin around 1750 -- originally meaning a sob, but by extension a gurgle or rattle and thence hiccup.

---L.

Comments

[thistleingrey.livejournal.com]

Wait, so are silent hiccups (diaphragmatic spasm without glottal involvement) to be called something else?

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

Well, in Latin apparently.

---L.

[thistleingrey.livejournal.com]

Though my earlier comment was flippant, curiosity bade me check classical Latin: not so much. This is suggestive, too. Since CDA is a pretty recent guy and Classics moves slowly, I'd bet on a vaguely C16-18 semantic shift over his having invented the usage, but instead of checking it I will shut up. :)

...This is why I asked whether comments are okay; I haven't the right sort .of discipline to look up a word each day, but having a prompt = amateur etymologizing, not to mention dislodging of my own assumptions about some words.

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

Amateur etymologizing is what we do here.

Uttering of a single sound? Hmmm.

---L.