It’s not technically onomatopoeia, but it’s the same idea, just taken to far. There is a term for that sort of thing, but I can’t remember it – check TVTropes.
The word technically falls under the same category as “stab!” does when it comes to sound words. Although there’s an argument here for partial Onomatopoeia, since the way the breath leaves the fainting victim could potentially produce the sound, “Suh-wwhoo-nnnnh~~” if you’re listening very closely and are feeling especially interpretive that day.
I find it interesting that shadowchild doesn’t know much about the world in general, but understands the whole praying business. That really snagged my interest. That and the “shadow belongs to someone else” line…
While swoon may be an interesting ‘sound’ effect, it pales in comparison to ‘stool-to-the-face’. Really though, that’s just an action statement to make it funnier than, say, ‘smack’, or the like.
They never go into it, and I don’t think the Shadowchild ever even offers, but I do find myself wondering what would have happened if the Shadowchild had eaten the shadow on her mind. Since it wasn’t hers, it might not have gone terribly.
*swoon* has to be the best onomatopoeia ever, I think.
Onomatopoeia? In what way does “swoon” *sound* like swooning? What does swooning sound like?
It’s not technically onomatopoeia, but it’s the same idea, just taken to far. There is a term for that sort of thing, but I can’t remember it – check TVTropes.
The word technically falls under the same category as “stab!” does when it comes to sound words. Although there’s an argument here for partial Onomatopoeia, since the way the breath leaves the fainting victim could potentially produce the sound, “Suh-wwhoo-nnnnh~~” if you’re listening very closely and are feeling especially interpretive that day.
@Jeffery: It’s an un-sound effect.
I believe Pratchett describes them as “words that don’t make a sound, but if they did would sound like that” or something similar.
Bear in mind that back on Conspiracy of Mammals, Ursula gave us the sound effect” Sound of a Dinosaur brainstem flopping in the breeze”.
A genius if ever there was one.
I find it interesting that shadowchild doesn’t know much about the world in general, but understands the whole praying business. That really snagged my interest. That and the “shadow belongs to someone else” line…
Who tenderized a turnip?
What happened to the knife she got stabbed with?
“I cannot take this!” You know she is a deep and spiritual character, because she doesn’t use contractions!
While swoon may be an interesting ‘sound’ effect, it pales in comparison to ‘stool-to-the-face’. Really though, that’s just an action statement to make it funnier than, say, ‘smack’, or the like.
Jeffrey: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/UnsoundEffect (CAUTION: use TVTropes responsibly!)
They never go into it, and I don’t think the Shadowchild ever even offers, but I do find myself wondering what would have happened if the Shadowchild had eaten the shadow on her mind. Since it wasn’t hers, it might not have gone terribly.