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Goronsky Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Yak, yack or yac?

Can't find this anywhere. In idiomatic AmE, the word 'yac/yack/yak' is used to mean 'puke'. What is the usual spelling for this idiomatic word in all verb uses?


1. He yacked. He is yacking.


2. He yacced. He is yaccing.


3. He yakked. He is yakking.


Would you go with 1, 2 or 3?


Thanks
  

Top answer

In idiomatic AmE, the word 'yac/yack/yak' is used to mean 'puke'. Where did you find this information? It's new to me.

— Clive

  • In idiomatic AmE, the word 'yac/yack/yak' is used to mean 'puke'.
  • Where did you find this information?
  • It's new to me.
  • I know of 'yack/yak' as an informal, slang-y verb meaning 'chatter'.
  • Clive
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9 Answers
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In idiomatic AmE, the word 'yac/yack/yak' is used to mean 'puke'. Where did you find this information? It's new to me.

I know of 'yack/yak' as an informal, slang-y verb meaning 'chatter'.

Clive
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goronskyCan't find this anywhere. In idiomatic AmE, the word 'yac/yack/yak' is used to mean 'puke'. What is the usual spelling for this idiomatic word in all verb uses?
Wiktionary (user-generated content) has it as "yack":

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/yack

With s
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Thanks, all.

Found this, too: http://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/yak

Yak, yakked and yakking mean to puke as well.
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goronskyFound this, too: http://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/yak
Oh yeah, good point. I forgot to check that.
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Well, all I can say is that, in my opinion, most English speakers will have no idea that you are talking about puking if you use this word.

Clive
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CliveWell, all I can say is that, in my opinion, most English speakers will have no idea that you are talking about puking if you use this word.Clive
I think the context is everything really. Probably you would understand it in "I had terrible seasickness and spent most of the journey yacking over the side of the boat"?
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Yes.
Although I'd also understand if you said
eg "I had terrible seasickness and spent most of the journey blonking over the side of the boat."

But understanding is not so easy in a context like eg "I left yesterday's meeting early because
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CliveBut understanding is not so easy in a context like eg "I left yesterday's meeting early because I had to yack".
I agree.
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