noogie

[ noog-ee ]

noun

, Slang.

1. a light blow or jab, usually to a person's head, back, or upper arm and accompanied by a twisting motion, with the extended knuckle of the curled-up second or third finger: done as a gesture of affection or painfully as a prank.

Word History and Origins

Origin of noogie¹

1975–80; apparently expressive alteration of knuckle; -y ²

Example Sentences

This internal interrogation — vulnerable questions he’s likely asking himself for the first time — is hilariously juxtaposed with stereotypical “masculine” actions, such as giving another Ken a noogie with his fingerless-leather-gloved fist and blocking an attack with the mere display of his abs.

From Los Angeles Times

Even though he was easily re-elected in 2020, Sasse spoke of “ups and downs” of his Senate career in a December farewell speech, saying his tenure “felt like a noogie and a slap and a head butt and a hug all at once.”

From Seattle Times

He grabs me when I’m not looking and rubs a sheet of paper on my forehead like he’s giving me a noogie.

From Literature

By the end of a long weekend that flipped the “best conference” argument on its head, a Pac-12 team administering that kind of noogie to one of the sport’s venerable programs felt like a West Coast hoops birthright.

From Los Angeles Times

The Trump administration has “administered” a noogie to the people of the United States.

From Washington Post