different between hitch vs yank

English

Etymology

Probably from Middle English hicchen, hytchen, icchen (“to move; to move as with a jerk”), of obscure origin. Lacks cognates in other languages. Compare itch, hike.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /h?t?/
• Rhymes: -?t?

Noun

hitch (plural hitches)

1. A sudden pull.
2. Any of various knots used to attach a rope to an object other than another rope.
3. A fastener or connection point, as for a trailer.

4. (informal) A problem, delay or source of difficulty.
5. A hidden or unfavorable condition or element.

   Synonym: catch

6. (military, slang) A period of time spent in the military.
   • 2004, June 3, Stephen J. Hedges & Mike Dorning, Chicago Tribune; Orlando Sentinel; page pg. A.1

     U.S. TROOPS FACE LONGER ARMY HITCH; SOLDIERS BOUND FOR IRAQ, ... WILL BE RETAINED

Hyponyms

• Magnus hitch
• midshipman's hitch
• rigger's hitch
• rolling hitch
• taut-line hitch
• tent-line hitch

Translations

Verb

hitch (third-person singular simple present hitches, present participle hitching, simple past and past participle hitched)

1. (transitive) To pull with a jerk.

2. (transitive) To attach, tie or fasten.

   Synonyms: affix, join, put together; see also Thesaurus:join
3. (informal) To marry oneself to; especially to get hitched.

   Synonyms: splice, wed; see also Thesaurus:marry

4. (informal, transitive) Clipping of hitchhike, to thumb a ride.

5. (intransitive) To become entangled or caught; to be linked or yoked; to unite; to cling.

   • atoms […] which at length hitched together

6. (intransitive) To move interruptedly or with halts, jerks, or steps; said of something obstructed or impeded.
   • To ease themselves […] by hitching into another place.

7. (Britain) To strike the legs together in going, as horses; to interfere.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Halliwell to this entry?)

Translations

Derived terms

• hitch one's wagon to a star
• unhitch
• unhitched

Further reading

• hitch on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• List of hitch knots on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

References

English

Etymology 1

Attested since 1822; from Scots yank. Unknown origin.

Pronunciation

• enPR: y?ngk, IPA^(key): /jæ?k/
• Rhymes: -æ?k

Noun

yank (plural yanks)

1. A sudden, vigorous pull (sometimes defined as mass times jerk, or rate of change of force).
2. (slang) A masturbation session.
   • 2012, Bonnie Dee, Summer Devon, Serious Play (page 81)

     He rested his hand on his bare chest, an innocent enough spot, but soon it drifted of its own accord down his stomach to slide beneath the waistband of his briefs. Fine. A quick yank would relieve the sexual tension that simmered in him.

Synonyms

• (sudden, vigorous pull): jerk, tug

Translations

Verb

yank (third-person singular simple present yanks, present participle yanking, simple past and past participle yanked)

1. (transitive) To pull (something) with a quick, strong action.
   • 2015, Elizabeth Royte, Vultures Are Revolting. Here’s Why We Need to Save Them., National Geographic (December 2015)[1]

     Now a white-backed rams its head down the wildebeest’s throat and yanks out an eight-inch length of trachea, ribbed like a vacuum hose.

2. (transitive, informal) To remove from distribution.

   They yanked the product as soon as they learned it was unsafe.

Synonyms

• (pull with a quick strong action): jerk, tug
• (remove from circulation): pull, recall

Derived terms

• yanker
• yank someone's chain

Translations

References

• Douglas Harper (2001–2021) , “yank”, in Online Etymology Dictionary

Etymology 2

Clipping of yankee

Noun

yank (plural yanks)

1. (often derogatory) A Yankee.

Scots

Etymology

Unknown; likely imitative. Compare whang (“a blow”).

Noun

yank (plural yanks)

1. a sudden tug, a jerk, a yank
2. a blow, a slap

Verb

yank (third-person singular present yanks, present participle yankin, past yankt, past participle yankt)

1. to jerk, to pull suddenly
2. to move quickly or in a lively manner