The Great Ouch Debate

[Scar My Machine]

While discussing language with a friend, we stumbled upon something that we can't seem to agree on.

And that is, whether or not "ouch" is an actual word.

Crazy it sounds I agree. I say, "ouch" is not a word but an audible sound used solely to describe pain to various degrees. They insist since it is spelled using letters that it is in fact, a word. I disagree with this last part based on the fact that, most any sound can be represented using letters when they are used in print or writing.

Also, some others I have asked about this insist that it should be a word if it isn't already.

To the best of my knowledge the Oxford dictionary is the authority on what constitutes (or is accepted) as official words of the English language.

I have done some research on this and have only found that "ouch" is labeled as a sound to represent pain (to various degrees).

Any general thoughts/ideas are welcomed.

Edited January 4, 2011 by Scar My Machine

[Class-Punk]

I think "ouch" would be classified as slang even though the word has been around for a long time.

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

Webster's says it's an interjection. It's also a noun... it's the setting for a gemstone on jewlery.

My question is.. if we don;t consider ouch a word... do we throw out all interjections and exclamations?

[phee]

Webster's says it's an interjection. It's also a noun... it's the setting for a gemstone on jewlery.

My question is.. if we don;t consider ouch a word... do we throw out all interjections and exclamations?

Dang!

[taysteewonderbunny]

Well, most words are (or have corresponding) audible sounds. But I understand your meaning: to you, "ouch" is merely an audible sound. If that is true, do you mean that no meaning inheres to "ouch?" Whenever you hear "ouch," do you inevitably inquire, "what? What do you mean, 'ouch?'" Or do you respond wanting to know what happened, what degree and what kind of injury occurred?

I suppose if you are going to disqualify things as words because they are onomatopoeia, you will have to rescind the word status of a great many things I would consider words, such as: achoo, ahem, belch, blah, bubble, buzz, clang, crackle, drip, fizz, flutter, growl, gurgle, hiccup, itch, knock, meow, murmur, oink, plop, quack, rattle, screech, snort, twang, twiddle, ugh, vroom, whack, whip, yodel, and zip. What often begins as onomatopoeia becomes a word of greater and even multiple meanings. Some of our words with onomatopoeic origins aren't immediately recognizable as such. "Owl" supposedly began as "oollool," an imitation of its hoot. Similarly, from the exclamation, "ouch" we get its noun-form, "ouchie."

Onomatopoeia are among some of the first words we teach children. The 'See and Say' tells us that "the cow says, 'Moo!'"

What if your argument is that it's not properly onomatopoeia and just an exclamation? I say, "bah humbug," and I don't expect to have to explain myself.

BTW, this is an interesting post. Thank you for making me stretch my brain.

[phee]

Well, most words are (or have corresponding) audible sounds. But I understand your meaning: to you, "ouch" is merely an audible sound. If that is true, do you mean that no meaning inheres to "ouch?" Whenever you hear "ouch," do you inevitably inquire, "what? What do you mean, 'ouch?'" Or do you respond wanting to know what happened, what degree and what kind of injury occurred?

I suppose if you are going to disqualify things as words because they are onomatopoeia, you will have to rescind the word status of a great many things I would consider words, such as: achoo, ahem, belch, blah, bubble, buzz, clang, crackle, drip, fizz, flutter, growl, gurgle, hiccup, itch, knock, meow, murmur, oink, plop, quack, rattle, screech, snort, twang, twiddle, ugh, vroom, whack, whip, yodel, and zip. What often begins as onomatopoeia becomes a word of greater and even multiple meanings. Some of our words with onomatopoeic origins aren't immediately recognizable as such. "Owl" supposedly began as "oollool," an imitation of its hoot. Similarly, from the exclamation, "ouch" we get its noun-form, "ouchie."

Onomatopoeia are among some of the first words we teach children. The 'See and Say' tells us that "the cow says, 'Moo!'"

What if your argument is that it's not properly onomatopoeia and just an exclamation? I say, "bah humbug," and I don't expect to have to explain myself.

BTW, this is an interesting post. Thank you for making me stretch my brain.

Woah!

(another use of a word that could be disqualified if "ouch" does not count.)

[Rayne]

I have my own dictionary and often can make just about anything a verb ... So I am not one who should be saying anything constructive here ... Lol.

[taysteewonderbunny]

I had a stunning realization last night as the wine wore off. "Ouch" is NOT onomatopoeia. Doh! And I meant to say 'interjection' in all the places I said 'exclamation.' Doh! Doh!

Sorry I was so lame, and not just lame, but arrogantly so. I offer my figurative self for retribution; let the beatings commence.

[Rev.Reverence]

Ya'll needs a better dictionary.

I have in my hand, a solid state PAPER dictionary...from the 90s...& it clearly states:

¹ouch

interj. (an exclamation expressing sudden pain)[< G autsch]

²ouch

archaic -n.

*WHAT GAF SAID.

[n0Mad]

I, for one, do not say "ouch" to indicate pain. I say something more akin to, "Graaahhh fucking gooohh!!!" or even "Gyah!" Those definitely are not words as they are merely exclamations unique to me that are improvised on the spot. "Ouch", however, is universally accepted across cultures since 1837 and does appear in several dictionaries. It is listed as an interjection which is a valid word category, and as TWB mentioned above, there is the noun derivative, "ouchie". Furthermore, as Gaf indicated but did not expound upon, there is another definition for "ouch":

ouch

–noun

1. a clasp, buckle, or brooch, esp. one worn for ornament.

2. the setting of a precious stone.

–verb (used with object)

3. to adorn with or as if with ouches.

Conclusion: "Ouch" is a word.

[Class-Punk]

Oh, I forgot “interjection” even existed, except for those chocolate-covered pretzels I ate last night.

[phee]

Oh, I forgot "interjection" even existed, except for those chocolate-covered pretzels I ate last night.

"refudiate?"

LOL

[Scar My Machine]

I had no idea so many here would take interest in this debate over a word but it's really cool. I stand corrected, ouch thus - is a word.

[StormKnight (1)]

Just my $0.02 in this debate

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP4N27kbMdk

[Class-Punk]

"refudiate?"

LOL

Pretty much.