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How do you use the interjection for snorting? I was told that "snort" is an onomatopoeia, but I disagree. "Haha" and "Heh heh" would be onomatopoeia, because they are pronounced the way they are written. The act of snorting sounds like you are exhaling hair like "Pshht", but "snort" is not an onomatopoeia. That being said, is there a true onomatopoeia, and how would you use it in a dialogue?

http://www.writtensound.com/index.php?term=laughter

"Haha, you're quick on the uptake I take it."

"Snort, you're quick on the uptake I take it."

What would you replace "snort" with?

4 Answers4

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It would look more natural outside of dialog, to me. Unless the character says "snort."

"He's really attractive."

Megan snorted. She grabbed a napkin and wiped the coffee off the table. "Uh, no."

scohe001
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SFWriter
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I agree with the previous poster who said that if you want to use the word “snort,” it would probably make more sense as a verb than as part of the dialogue. That said, I think “pfft” might fit the bill.

Max asked Jill whether she’d finished the homework.

“Pfft. Are you kidding? It’s not due for another week!” She said.

Obviously, this works best for the mono-syllabic snicker sort of snort (of amusement or derision) rather than the noise a pig or pug makes.

Community
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Julia Sweet
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Closest I can think of, though perhaps a little archaic:

"Harumph, you're quick on the uptake I take it."

But, like DPT, I would be more inclined to keep it out of dialogue tags.

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I'd just use "Snort! blah blah blah etc". I've seen it used plenty of times. As a single word, before an exclamation mark, it's meaning is unambiguous. AFAIK there isn't a well-known onomatopoeic word for snorting.

Greenaum
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