We’ve all experienced it. You’re sitting quietly, perhaps enjoying a meal or a cool drink, when suddenly—without warning—your body betrays you. There’s a sharp, involuntary gasp, followed by a strangled, explosive burst of air from your throat. It’s abrupt. It’s noisy. It’s a sudden, noisy stopping of the breath.
A Sudden Catch of Breath: The Word That Spells Itself Twice
Sharp emotional shifts can trigger the phrenic nerve, which controls the diaphragm. How to Stop the Noise We’ve all experienced it
Writing Tip 366: “Hiccup” vs. “Hiccough” - Kris Spisak
This version emerged in the 16th century. It was an attempt to link the word to "cough," even though the two actions aren't biologically related. is the standard in most of the world, though It’s abrupt
triggers a sharp contraction of the diaphragm, followed roughly 35 milliseconds later by the closure of the vocal cords, which creates the characteristic "hic" sound.
: The word is onomatopoeic, meaning it was created to imitate the actual sound of the "hic". A Sudden Catch of Breath: The Word That
In conclusion, whether you spell it or hiccough , this sudden, noisy stopping of the breath is a universal human experience. While the double spelling may seem confusing, it's a fascinating example of the complexities and evolution of the English language.