I haven't been able to find the word "tisk" in any dictionary, but I promise it was in the venacular I used growing up. It means a noise, like a click of the tongue, or perhaps even a scolding like, "Tisk Tisk, you've been a naughty child."
It is the perfect word for something I'm writing, but I don't want to use it if it is not common knowledge. What is the vote?
Posted by muranternet (Member # 9465) on :
I've always seen it spelled "tsk." Sometimes italicized, even in quotes, but not always.
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
Yup. Tsk.
Axe
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
It's kind of onomatopoeic usage to indicate (in the English-speaking world) a clicking in the back of one's throat (or sometimes the side of one's mouth), a sound indicative of disapproval.
Posted by MartinV (Member # 5512) on :
Well, you didn't look in every dictionary. In my language, 'tisk' means 'print'.
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Oh, yeah, one other thing...it's a close relative of "tut-tut."
Posted by elilyn (Member # 9426) on :
Ok, so you guys gave me some ideas. I checked the urban dictionary (urbandictionary.com) and it says that:
Tsk = "the clicky sound ya make wit ur tongue when ur lookin down on sumbody"
Tisk= "A word to show people they should be ashamed. Especially for something extrememly stupid like urban dictionary not accepting a definition. Also it's better to use two tisks or three tisks than one tisk."
Apparently Tisk is also: "A variation of "tsk" used by people who don't REALLY know how to spell and are unaware that not every word is spelled phonetically"
I still like Tisk, better over Tsk. Seems less gutteral to me. At least now I know if I use it, people will know what I'm talking about. Sometimes I find words or phrases that we used to use in Montana aren't used anywhere else.
Posted by genevive42 (Member # 8714) on :
I have to admit, I have never seen, 'tisk' used. I think you might throw readers by not using the more common, 'tsk'.
Posted by redux (Member # 9277) on :
It is spelled 'tsk' and is considered an interjection/click.
If you spell it "tisk," the vowel implies a pronunciation. This might be okay for some speakers; I know sometimes I actually pronounce the word "sigh" for effect instead of actually sighing. However, if you just want the clicking of the tongue, I'd prefer "tsk" as a reader. I don't know if they actually pronounce it in Montana, but it would confuse me.
Try it. When you make the tsk sound, you block the back of your mouth with the tongue arch. Can't make a vowel that way.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Of course it could be where you are form too. I should say what part of the US you are form. Yo, mayhaps some of ya'll pronounce it as tisk, a? So the person, you are quoting, may have spelled it that way on purpose. It sounds like the way tsk can be pronounce.
Posted by elilyn (Member # 9426) on :
quote:If you spell it "tisk," the vowel implies a pronunciation. This might be okay for some speakers; I know sometimes I actually pronounce the word "sigh" for effect instead of actually sighing. However, if you just want the clicking of the tongue, I'd prefer "tsk" as a reader. I don't know if they actually pronounce it in Montana, but it would confuse me.
I think you've hit the nail on the head. If my character is saying it, then the word would be "tisk", if my character is actually making the noise then it would be "tsk". I also say "sigh" instead of actually sighing sometimes, probably too much instant messaging
