1570, of imitative origin.
Compare also Saterland Frisian Kloang, West Frisian klank, Dutch klank, German Klang (from German klingen), Danish and Swedish klang, Latin clangere (“to resound”) (which probably influenced it).
Meanings
Imitative of a loud metallic ringing sound.
(humorous) Said after someone has name-dropped (mentioned a famous person with whom they are acquainted).
1570, of imitative origin.
Compare also Saterland Frisian Kloang, West Frisian klank, Dutch klank, German Klang (from German klingen), Danish and Swedish klang, Latin clangere (“to resound”) (which probably influenced it).
Meanings
A loud, ringing sound, like that made by free-hanging metal objects striking each other; usually, one considered more jarring than melodious.
Bang, bang, Maxwell's silver hammer
Came down upon her head
Clang, clang, Maxwell's silver hammer
Made sure that she was dead 1969, Paul McCartney, “Maxwell's Silver Hammer”, in Abbey Road, performed by The Beatles:
Quality of tone.
The cry of some birds, including the crane and the goose.
A word or phrase linked only by sound and not by meaning, characteristic of some mental disorders.
For much of this day, Mrs Y. wrote in her diary, covering page after page in a rapid scrawl full of paligraphic repetitions, puns, clangs, and violent, perseverative crossings-out […] 1973, Oliver Sacks, Awakenings:
1570, of imitative origin.
Compare also Saterland Frisian Kloang, West Frisian klank, Dutch klank, German Klang (from German klingen), Danish and Swedish klang, Latin clangere (“to resound”) (which probably influenced it).
Meanings
(transitive) To strike (objects) together so as to produce a clang.
A dented metal punching bag waiting to be clanged; a solitary object in the rhino's cage. 2020, “Zoo”, in Still at the Rough Cusp of Renaissance, performed by Good Fuck:
Around, the first Curetes (order solemn / To thy foreknowing mother!) trod tumultuous / Their mystic dance, and clanged their sounding arms; [...] a. 1722 (date written), Matthew Prior, “The First Hymn of Callimachus. To Jupiter.”, in The Poetical Works of Matthew Prior […], Edinburgh: James Nichol, […], published 1858, →OCLC, page 207, lines 58–60:
(intransitive) To give out a clang; to resound.
A cell door clanged metallically and Wentworth was flung inside. He tripped, collapsed upon the concrete floor. 1933, Norvell Page, Wings of the Black Death:
Then the sparks flew from the anvil while the great hammer clanged on the metal, shaping it, and Henry begged to be allowed to try it 1917, Rose Wilder Lane, Henry Ford’s Own Story:
The clanging and groaning of the train came nearer, and it staggered slowly into the station like a prey- laden monster into its lair. 1920, Edith Wharton, chapter XXIX, in The Age of Innocence:
Middlesbrough will wonder whether it might have been different if the volley that Jelle Vossen slashed towards John Ruddy’s net after nine minutes had been a couple inches lower rather than clanging off the crossbar. They should not dwell on that moment too long, however. 2015 May 25, Daniel Taylor, “Norwich reach Premier League after early blitz sees off Middlesbrough”, in The Guardian (London):
To utter a word or phrase linked only by sound and not by meaning, characteristic of some mental disorders.
cs zvonit (transitive: strike (objects) together to produce a clang) · izh helähyttää (transitive: strike (objects) together to produce a clang) · pl szczękać (intransitive: give out a clang) · bg звънтя (intransitive: give out a clang) · pl szczęknąć (intransitive: give out a clang) · eo sonori (intransitive: give out a clang) · cs zazvonit (transitive: strike (objects) together to produce a clang) · fi helähtää (intransitive: give out a clang) · fi kilauttaa (transitive: strike (objects) together to produce a clang) · cs zvonit (intransitive: give out a clang) · fi heläyttää (transitive: strike (objects) together to produce a clang) · bg звъня (intransitive: give out a clang) · cs zazvonit (intransitive: give out a clang) · fi kilahtaa (intransitive: give out a clang) · izh helähtää (intransitive: give out a clang)