different between yank vs yoink

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

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /j???k/

Etymology 1

1954. Onomatopoeic.

Verb

yoink (third-person singular simple present yoinks, present participle yoinking, simple past and past participle yoinked)

1. (onomatopoeia) To make a yoink sound.
   • 1956, H. Minar Shoebotham, Anaconda: Life of Marcus Daly, the Copper King, Mechanicsburg PA: Stackpole, p 2:

     Outside in the fog and the damp and cool air, common to County Cavan, he strode briskly along the road and when he arrived Cummings was already out and busy and the pigs—a big drove of them—were yoinking for their feed.

2. (colloquial) To hop or bounce.
3. nonce word for an action that impacts on something, especially if it is sudden.
4. To kill.

Noun

yoink (plural yoinks)

1. An ordinary person with nothing to recommend them.

Interjection

yoink

1. Used for emphasis or to express that one is impressed.

Etymology 2

Coined by writer George Meyer for the TV show The Simpsons; perhaps imitative of the sound effect (a quick upward slide on a violin) that accompanies something being snatched in classic comedies. (Can this⁽⁺⁾ etymology be sourced?)

Interjection

yoink

1. (colloquial) Onomatopoeic, accompanying or describing a yank, swipe, or snatch.
   • 1993, “Duffless”, episode of the Simpsons [television]:

     Marge: But you look better, you don't sweat when you eat any more, and look – [holds up a wad of cash] You've saved more than a hundred dollars. I found it in your pants.

     Homer: [snatches money] Yoink!

Verb

yoink (third-person singular simple present yoinks, present participle yoinking, simple past and past participle yoinked)

1. (colloquial) To yank or snatch.
2. To steal.
3. To take or win (something) that others want.

Quotations

• For quotations using this term, see Citations:yoink.