[[{{Erfworld}} http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/erf-plot229x247.jpg]]
[[caption-width:229:Some plot happens in ''Erfworld'']]

->'''STAB'''[[hottip:*:Actually, the sound of a wombat being stabbed is a scratchy noise of bristles scraping on steel followed by a rather unpleasant "squlorp!" noise, followed by a damp smack of hilt. But "scratch-squlorp-squithud!" lacks a certain pithiness]]
-->-- ''{{Digger}}''

->"I don't know how flinging someone actually made the sound 'fling'."
-->-- '''TheSpoonyExperiment''' reviewing ''Warrior''

The WrittenSoundEffect is a basic technique for illustrating non-dialog sounds in visual media. The text is a transliteration of the sounds, usually written as onomatopoeia. But then some authors will start writing as sound effects words which only ''sound'' like onomatopoeia. "Bash!" and "Kick!" for instance, just happen to sound a bit like the impacts they're describing.

And then, some authors will take it too far, with words that aren't the least bit like sound effects, and are actually just the ''words'' for that action in loud capital letters. "Glare!" "Leap!" "Flourish!" and even "Idea!"

This is the UnsoundEffect. It's a humorous technique, although it is also seen in fight scenes ("Block!" "Slash!").

Usually attributed to ''RichieRich'' in the original Harvey Comics versions, which lasted from the 1950s to the 1980s. They included such effects as "BOUNCE!" for large rubber balls impacting a hard surface, and went on to "EXPAND!" when Richie utilized one of Prof. Keenbean's AppliedPhlebotinum devices meant to go from pocket-size miniature tool/vehicle/etc. to full-size.

It's worth noting that {{manga}} has different but similar conventions regarding onomatopoeia. Manga has much more than can be done with an UnsoundEffect. Japanese writers will use sound effects to denote sounds, like heartbeats or door slams, but also to represent more abstract events like "smiling" ("niko niko"), "sudden realization" ("ha") or "the sound of silence" ("shiiiiiiin"). These are known as phenomimes when they describe external phenomena and psychomimes when they describe psychological states. Some {{anime}}, generally the more surreal sort, turn these into actual sound effects.

See also VisibleSilence, the Unsound Effect for ''no'' sound.

Related to EditorialSynaesthesia
----
!!''Examples!''

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder: Anime and Manga ]]

* In ''OnePiece'' Chimney did her own sound effect for staring (shiiiiiiin).
** In [[http://www.onemanga.com/One_Piece/181/16-17/ this page]] during the Alabasta arc, the camel in the last panel gets, appropriately, ''CAMEL!!''
* The ''MahouSenseiNegima'' manga does this a lot. Of course, this is probably due to the translators being very faithful to the original; during a silent scene you'll see the giant "shiiiin" kana with tiny English "the sound of silence" written underneath.
** There's also a rather humorous "{{Pettanko}}" sound effect when Anya first sees Yue and Nodoka.
* The anime versions of ''PaniPoniDash'', ''LuckyStar'', ''HayateTheCombatButler'', and ''SayonaraZetsubouSensei'' have all used "staring" ("jiiiiiiiiii") as a vocalised sound effect, in ''[[SayonaraZetsubouSensei SZS]]'s'' case as a RunningGag
** Also in ''[[SayonaraZetsubouSensei SZS]]'', when TheVoiceless Meru types [[{{Troll}} abusive messages]] with her cell phone, we hear the sound "Meru Meru"
*** The later seasons of ''[[SayonaraZetsubouSensei SZS]]'' have ''all'' of the sound effects [[WrittenSoundEffect written on screen]] and read out loud with a humorously monotone, bored-sounding voice.
** This troper had this happen in real life while teaching at a Japanese Elementary school. Having a ten year old stare at you and say "jiiiiiii" is just a bit weird.
* Manga publisher Tokyopop used to do this, with some such sounds including "Stand", "Glare" and "Turn".
** Probably one of the funnier ones was "Cadillac!" in Duklyon: Clamp School Defenders.
* The manga ''MPDPsycho'' employs this trope in both humorous and straight forms, for instance, when Amamiya's glasses gleam with light, the other characters swear they can hear the "shing" noise that results. An example of the serious form of the trope in action is the "dokun" or "kadoom" noise that indicates Amamiya's personality changing.
* A burn victim in ''DetectiveConan'' had a speech balloon reading "mouthing words" or something to that effect, having been too injured to say anything discernable.
* From ''HayateTheCombatButler'', we also have the inestimable: ''COINCIDENCE!''
* ''OuranHighSchoolHostClub'', with [[GivingSomeoneThePointerFinger "POINT"]].
* [[GGCrono This troper]] once read a {{hentai}} doujin which featured as sound effects, among others, "ORGASM!", "CLIMAX!", and my personal favorite, "KA-FUCK!"
** American artist [[spoiler: Smudge]] (just in case you were going to try to search for him) apparently thinks that the sound a ([[BiggusDickus massive]]) penis makes when it's ''[[ItsNotRapeIfYouEnjoyedIt forced]]'' into a vagina is '''"FUCKIN-COCKA!"'''
* In the space of two pages in the first chapter of PandoraHearts, we have "GRAB," "FIDGET," "SURPRISE," and of course, "THREATENING ATMOSPHERE."
* OtomeKikanGretel has a rather freaked out Yuu with the effect "[[http://www.mangafox.com/page/manga/read/3345/gretel/chapter.62712/page.24/ startle]]." (next to, of course, someone who [[SayItWithHearts talks with hearts]]
** The very next page has [[http://www.mangafox.com/page/manga/read/3345/gretel/chapter.62712/page.26/ "Confused" and "Realization" on the same panel, then "The Culprit" immediately after]]
* ''ChisSweetHome'' uses a number of these, including things like [[http://www.onemanga.com/Chiis_Sweet_Home/32/08/ "dejected"]] and [[http://www.onemanga.com/Chiis_Sweet_Home/34/01/ "loom."]]
* When the author of ''{{Kaiji}}'' discovered there wasn't an onomatopoeia for dramatic tension, he invented his own: ZAWA.
** He also uses this same sound in his other works, like ''{{Akagi}}'' and ''GamblingEmperorLegendZero''.
* Manga such as ''{{Yu-Gi-Oh}}'', ''{{Bleach}}'', and ''ShamanKing'' often throw "DOOM" on dramatic panels. Even more dramatic panels might get "[[DoomyDoomsOfDoom DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM]]".
* In ''DoctorSlump'', GenkiGirl Arale's greetings are so loud and boisterous that the sound effect for it ("KON'CHWA!", approximately, due to a VerbalTic) easily dwarfs her and knocks the people she greets off their feet. The aliens attempt to weaponize this power, but fail every time.
*The presence of a BattleAura or similar mind state (even an unshown one) is often accompanied with a "go go go ..." ("ゴ ゴ ゴ ...").

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Comic Books ]]

* In ''{{Comicbook/X-Men}}'', at least one X-Babies encounter ("Mojo Mayhem") has gone this way (with arguing murmurs written as "argue" or "debate" or "mutter" and the like.)
* Subverted in an issue of the ''Thor'' comic book, where The Hulk hits Thor with an entire freight train (complete with attached cars). The editor's note on the page confesses that there's no onomatopoeia there because nothing they could think of would do the scene justice.
** The same thing happened when [[FantasticFour the Thing]] punched Sandman into his component particles while both were underwater.
* ''MADMagazine'', illustrating the reality of a six-man utility crew - one guy digging a hole (accompanied by the sound effect "dig") while the other five are in various states of leisure (accompanied by "eat", "siiiip", "snooze", "hang out" and "read").
** Another comic features a massive five-way collision accompanied by "HORRENDOUS UNSPELLABLE SOUND EFFECT!"
** One of their artists once told a detective story entirely in pictures and exaggerated sound effects (with a couple of unsounds). All the murder victims produced the same sequence of AAAARGH!..THUD...BOUNCE BOUNCE and, in the first case the guy who had been shot rounded off with a quiet BLEED BLEED. The detective was quite mystified by the screams until he realized that the killer was [[spoiler:one Joe Aaaargh, alias Joe Eeeech, alias Joe Uuuuugh.]]
* The ''New Yorker'' had a cartoon by Roz Chast called "No Action Comics." It had sound effects like "MULL! MULL!" and "WORRY! WORRY!"
** Similarly, ''TheDailyShow'' featured a comic mocking George W. Bush with sound effects such as "STALL!".
* Frequently used in ''TwistedToyfareTheatre''. Examples include Spider-Man running across some assorted Beanie Baby animals. Some go "moo moo", some go "oink oink" and some go "kangaroo sound kangaroo sound". And when he gets them to stampede, it's "angry moo, angry moo" and "angry kangaroo sound, angry kangaroo sound".
* German comic artist ''Ralf König'' is good at this. he rather describes the mood of scenes with his unsounds. One scene shows a guy laying in bed, hearing "sounds" like "cooking coffee" and "doorclap".
* ''TheTick'' is also fond of this, with this Troper's favorite being "CONTEMPLATE!"
* Amerimanga ''NinjaHighSchool'' has used literal sound effects from the beginning of its run. They do sort of mirror manga's onomonepetic effects, but Ben Dunn has admitted he got the idea from ''Richie Rich''.
** One example: a character lifts a huge tree out of the ground, to the sound of '''*UPROOT*'''
* Several comics have featured huge explosions with the unintentionally (maybe) hilarious BA-THROOM! sound effect.
** Sound of a toilet blowing up?
* The ''CityOfHeroes'' comic has a {{mook}} cry out in pain: ''"MMORPG!!"''
* ''De Familie Fortuin'', a Dutch comic about the titular white trash family, has used such sound effects as '''*ENORMOUS EXPLOSION! FLYING BODY PARTS! BLEEDING GUMS! [[RuleOfCool COOL MAN]]!*''' and '''*EXPLODING SCHOOL WITH EVERYONE INSIDE!*'''.
* A series of Disney albums had Goofy playing different historical persons. In the Beethoven story '''all''' sound words were composer names. Knocking on a door sounded like BACH BACH, knocking over a pile of stuff produced a loud BRAHMS and so on.
* Speaking of Disney, a ''DarkwingDuck'' comic in ''Disney Adventures'' had some offstage action indicated with words like "BLUDGEON" and "ASPHYXIATE." [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] by onlookers.
* Does it count if you shoot [[ThirtyDaysOfNight vampires]] with a [[/folder]]

[[folder: BANG BANG BANG ]]
''[[/folder]]

[[folder: ETC.... ]]
'' (in neat Ariel font, no less)?
* [[http://misterkitty.org/extras/stupidcovers/stupidcomics109.html BOWL!]] [[http://www.misterkitty.org/extras/stupidcovers/stupidcomics103.html DREAM! MAGIC!]]

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Film ]]

* During an action sequence in ''HotFuzz'', Nicolas Angel actually says "Idea!" where you might otherwise have the 'ding' of an {{Ideabulb}}. Later, his partner shouts "Bang! Bang!" while firing a gun...[[RuleOfFunny for no reason whatsoever.]]
* Subtitles for the hearing impaired can come off a bit like this when done badly. There's no better mood killer in the middle of a romantic moment than seeing *dramatic music intensifies* pop up on screen.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Literature ]]

* Gaspode, a talking dog in the ''{{Discworld}}'' series, ''says'' 'woof'.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Live Action TV ]]

* MontyPython's "Bicycle Repairman" sketch had intertitle cards with effects like: "Screw!", "Bend!", "Inflate!", and "Alter Saddle!"
** ''Monty Python'' also had the traffic court sketch, in which the jury and audience react to a surprising revelation by saying, in unison, "Consternation! Uproar!"
* The 1960s ''Series/{{Batman}}'' TV series did this in every fight scene.
**''TheMonkees'' parody this in one episode with a fight that has words like Rumble! Plink! Plank! Plunk! Miss! Foo! Bing! Bong! Bang! Splat! Kretch! Plop! Splinter! on the screen. (At the word Kretch, Peter Tork stops fighting, looks into the camera, and says, "Kretch???" before they agree to stop fighting and start breaking furniture.)
* When a piece of viewer mail on ''AttackOfTheShow'' asked what kind of sound effect they would want to have if they were in a comic, Kevin Pereira admitted he would want the word "SKANK!" to pop up when he slapped someone in the face.
* TheMuppetShow did a sketch entirely in action and spoken sound/unsound words. It started with a creature (possibly played by Animal) trudging through the wilderness while muttering "trudge trudge trudge" until it got interrupted by something flying past with a loud "FLY! FLY!" which made it stop and go "ponder... ponder... ponder..." as it, well, pondered the strange event. After this had happened a couple of times the wanderer lost its patience and went "fret foam" as it picked up a hesvy stick, and the next time the flyer passed it got stopped by a massive SMASH SMASH!
* On ''TheTonightShow'', Conan O'Brien visits a Foley stage and makes his own sound effects, including a shout of "Throw baby!" when a character throws a baby.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Newspaper Comics ]]

* In an early (1950s-era) ''{{Peanuts}}'' strip, Charlie Brown is perplexed when one of his friends jumps into a pond with a "ker-SPLASH!", and another one jumps into a pile of leaves with a "ker-LEAF!".
*One ''BloomCounty'' featured the wonderfully memorable "[[/folder]]

[[folder: unprovoked ]]
KICK!"
* A CalvinAndHobbes strip has Calvin walking around in Galoshes that go "Galosh galosh galosh"
** In a school strip Susie asks Calvin to name the old capitol of Poland, and hears him mutter "KRAKOW! KRAKOW!" which happens to be the right answer but is really a sound effect from his daydram about Spaceman Spiff fighting aliens.
* ''The Wizard of Id'' is fond of this trope, using such sound effects as "Deliberate deliberate deliberate" for a jury.
* This troper recalls reading a ''{{Garfield}}'' comic where Garfield was unscrewing a saltshaker with the sound effect '''*unscrew*''' hanging in midair. Even at such a young age, he recalls wondering how that sounds any different from just plain ol' screwing. There have been many other instances of Unsound Effects throughout the comic's history, but this was the most blatant one in this troper's memory.
** [[IncrediblyLamePun Screwing is more rhythmic.]]
** Pictured [[http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/garfieldhammer.png here]] is the sound effect '''hammer''', which is what Jon is using on [[OverlyLongGag a really long nail]].
* One ''{{Foxtrot}}'' strip used '''*crank*''' and '''*uncrank*''' for the sound of someone turning up, then turning down, a thermostat.
* ''For Better or For Worse'' is in love with this trope--partly because every other Sunday strip is mostly silent, save for the Unsound Effects flying all over the place. This troper recalls one panel where the family dog was eating something accompanied by '''*gobble snarf eat*'''.
** Another, dealing with Elly's frustrations with a fax/copier, had UNPLUG, although the design of the balloon made it ambiguous whether that was a sound effect or Elly loudly vocalizing the action as a form of venting.
* A ''{{Zits}}'' strip showed Jeremy taking a test, with the Unsound Effect "Essay! Essay! Essay! Essay! Essay!"
* Pens in the ''PearlsBeforeSwine'' world make "write write write" and "scribble scribble scribble" sounds when used. The creator, Stefan Pastis, admits to this bit of creative license in the book commentaries.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Music ]]

* P.D.Q. Bach's ''Good King Kong Looked Out'' has a choir ''[[SayingSoundEffectsOutLoud singing]]'' an UnsoundEffect - "hear", in this case - because seriously, what onomatopoeia could possibly used?


[[/folder]]

[[folder: Video Games ]]

* The instruction manual for the PS2 game ''[[FlowerSunAndRain Flower, Sun, and Rain]]'' includes screenshots accompanied by ordinary sound effect words, until one image gets the effect "KATHARINE!"
* [[FinalFantasyVI *gobble* *snarf* *snap* HP/MP restored, and status ailments like Poison cured!]]
* In ''TeamFortress2'', scoring a critical hit on an enemy causes CRITICAL HIT! to appear over his head. These are ''only'' visible to the player responsible.
* The planting of a Doom-Shroom in ''PlantsVsZombies'' is immediately followed by an explosive "[[DoomyDoomsOfDoom DOOM]]!"
* In ''Return to {{Zork}},'' the first hint that [[BalefulPolymorph a duck is really a transformed wizard]] is the fact that it actually says "quack quack" in a human voice.
* [[TheWorldEndsWithYou Bling!]]

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Web Animation ]]

* On ''HomestarRunner'', the Teen Girl Squad comics do this a lot. "Children!" "MSG'd!" "Weirded Out!" "Late 360 Shove-It to Boneless'd!" and the immortal "POSSUMS..."
** [[http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail192.html Dwayne!]]
**Also, [[http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail194.html Gunshots in a Crowded Mall]].
**One more: [[http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail195.html "SHAKESPEARED!"]]
* The Angry Video Game Nerd parodies the Adam West ''{{Batman}}'' show's visual onomatopoeia in the second Batman episode. Visuals include ''[[BackToTheFuture "Biff! Marty!"]]'', ''"Splash!"'', ''"Jugyiop!"'', ''[[PacMan "Wakawaka!"]]'', and ''"FUCKBALLS!"''
** Likewise, whenever the Adam West's ''Batman'''s theme song plays in TheNostalgiaCritic, similar visuals may be included, such as "LAME!" or "PLAGIARISM!"
* One segment from ''AMVHell 4'' involved a ''ParanoiaAgent'' / Batman mash-up. In it, Shonen Bat/Lil' Slugger is beating down people with his bat, while the typical WrittenSoundEffect staples seen in Adam West's Batman. The last one of the bunch (it's very briefly seen; you have to be quick to catch it) is OMGWTF!. The clip was titled [[IncrediblyLamePun "Shonen Batman"]].
* The Ogres on ''UnforgottenRealms'' frequently mutter the words "Ogre Sounds" to no one in particular.
* Yahtzee does this occasionally in his ''ZeroPunctuation'' reviews. One notable example showed someone rotoscoping images by sitting at a computer that made the sound, "Rotoscope rotoscope."

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Web Comics ]]

* ''{{Erfworld}}'', as pictured above. Also includes sound effects like "Warn", "Sweep", or even [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/erf0120.html "redox"]]. Interestingly, it avoids this trope more often than not, sometimes confusing readers as to what the sound effect represents. For example, some were unsure what "free-deep" was, until it was explained that it was a cricket chirp.
** Some of the comic's pop-culture references are written into sound effects (e.g. "NWOBHM" -- New Wave Of British Heavy Metal).
** The joke of the '''PLOT''' effect is, of course, that it is ''also'' representing the sound of what's happening.
** Other sound effects include [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/erf0139.html "YTMND," "NSFW," and "4CHAN."]]
* [[http://www.antiheroforhire.com/d/20060501.html Nicely parodied]] by AntiheroForHire.
* ''Framed!!!'' used effects like "walk" for walking.
* ''dead.winter'' used "mop" for someone being hit with one in [[http://www.deadwinter.cc/page/223.htm this strip]].
* ''{{Sinfest}}'' uses this nearly every other strip, notably [[http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=521 here]], [[http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=3213 here]], [[http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=3223 here]], [[http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=2614 here]], and [[http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=3319 here]] ("VERKLEMPT!" It's Yiddish for "quite upset or emotional.")
* ''GunnerkriggCourt'': "[[http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/archive_page.php?comicID=284 Spankies!]]", "Trundle", '''[[http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/archive_page.php?comicID=239 SLAM DUNKIN]]''', "Rocket!".
**Also, ''GC'' deserves props for possibly being the first ever use of "[[http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/archive_page.php?comicID=511 Blink]]" for something ''completely unrelated'' to SqueakyEyes.
** There is also "Single bound!" and for a door slamming, "[[http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/archive_page.php?comicID=588 SLAM" and then "SLAM AGAIN]]"
* ''BadassMuthas'' does [[http://badassmuthas.com/pages/comic.php?7 this]].
* "Sucker Punch'd!" in many ''DanAndMabsFurryAdventures'' strips. [[http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_686.php]] [[http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_706.php]] [[http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_733.php]]
** DMFA also had "De-Pantsu'd!" and "De-Dressu'd!".
** And "Ker-Pwned!"
* ''UserFriendly'' had some 'interesting' sounds for coffee brewing: "sizzle", "congeal", "fold proteins", "curdle", "sprout". Of course, given that previous coffee-brewing efforts have intentionally created a brew that has the properties of [[Film/{{Alien}} Xenomorph]] acid-for-blood and one that was made with parts of [[HPLovecraft Hastur]], this may indicate a success.
** In another strip, when someone was writing a program to trick someone else, the Unsounds were 'Code Plot Plan' as he was typing.
* ''NoNeedForBushido'' uses these in nearly every comic.
** Some that stand out to this troper's mind are [[http://www.noneedforbushido.com/archive.php?strip_id=269 Holycrap!]] and [[http://www.noneedforbushido.com/archive.php?strip_id=271 Head... Butt!]]
** '''[[http://www.noneedforbushido.com/archive_comments.php?strip_id=365 Oh? No!]]''' '''[[http://www.noneedforbushido.com/archive_comments.php?strip_id=365 He Didn'!]]'''
** Also, [[http://www.noneedforbushido.com/archive_comments.php?strip_id=368 It's A Trap!]]
** And, [[http://www.noneedforbushido.com/archive_comments.php?strip_id=375 '''REBUTTAL!''']]
* ''[[{{Ptitlehpgydodt1jb7}} The Adventures Of Dr. McNinja]]'': Dr [=McN=] jumps on a motorbike driven by a ninja and whispers something in his ear to creep him out and throw him off the bike. The [[http://drmcninja.com/page.php?pageNum=26&issue=4 resulting]] sound effect is "Creeped out enough to be thrown easily from the bike". This is then [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] in the AltText which reads "Oh come on. That is not a real sound effect at all."
** [[http://drmcninja.com/page.php?pageNum=6&issue=15 SICKNASTY!]]
** Also, [[http://drmcninja.com/page.php?pageNum=45&issue=5 BUTT PUNCH.]]
** Played with left to right and back to front [[http://drmcninja.com/page.php?pageNum=10&issue=15 here.]] '''WHCRUNCH'''[[hottip:*:Weird that the motorcycle guy landed right where Doc had painted ''WHCRUNCH'' in his parking lot. Because that's probably exactly what it sounded like.]]
* ''TheWotch'' and its spinoff ''Cheer!'' do this heavily, with examples such as: [[GenderBender *Ka-girl*]] *open*, *swap*, *stare*, *harm*, *regress*, *swap*, *gravity*, *vertical ascent*, *tie up*, *disguise*, *not there* *...psyche*, and many more. Yes, with the asterisks.
**Both series use them to the point that an actual sound effect in either goes on to become pretty rare, and there's a running gag of "ka-something" sounds. "Ka-zap" eventually becomes "Ka-*effect here*" which is how "ka-girl" got started (and eventually became a verb. "Why am I always the one you ka-girl for a joke?") Eventually, you have stuff like "Ka-annoyed!" after too many transformations, and "Ka-meraderie!" when 32 tries to gloss over the fact that ''nobody'' believes she's the person she's standing in for by acting all chummy. This troper's personal favorite is "ka-asking-for-it!"
*** Better than [[http://cheer.thewotch.com/index.php?date=20060706 "Pretty Cosmic Crystal Rainbow Overhead Smash!"]]?
*** [[http://www.cheercomic.com/?date=2006-06-06 "1812 Overture'd"]]
* [[http://www.middlecenter.com/comic/display.php?pg=30 These]] [[http://www.middlecenter.com/comic/display.php?pg=69 two]] ''HeroesOfMiddlecenter'' strips.
* [[http://pasteldefender.com/222.html Here's a variation from ''Pastel Defender Heliotrope'' (panel 4)]]
* In ''ElGoonishShive'', shrinking with "shrink soda" gives off a "sha-rink!" sound.
** And also "insert rather ordinary door bell sound here".
* ''ZebraGirl'' uses this in one strip, alongside a [[ClueFromEd Message From Ed]] that states that the creator has no idea what the actions depicted would actually sound like, so he's just gonna make things up.
* [[http://www.alessonislearned.com/index.php?comic=6 This]] ''ALessonIsLearnedButTheDamageIsIrreversible'' comic uses "GASOLINE". Others used include "MOONROCK" and "COMBINE".
* "Bang" not for you? ''Gone with the Blastwave'' has [[http://www.blastwavecomic.com/index.php?p=comic&nro=40 -BULLET SOUND-]]
** Don't forget the legendary "shotgun" sound from the impossible to find green comic.
* ''{{xkcd}}'' dabbles with this [[http://xkcd.com/260/ occasionally]]. [[http://www.xkcd.com/433/ This strip]] has "park" as a sound effect.
* ''[[EightBitTheater 8-bit Theater]]'' examples include:
** '''[[http://www.nuklearpower.com/2006/04/08/episode-682-pointless-retribution/ ORGY OF VIOLENCE]]'''
** ''[[http://www.nuklearpower.com/2005/03/19/episode-529-the-beast-in-the-cave/ BOMBASTIC CLASSICAL MUSIC! -- Ominous Latin Chorus ~]] [[OminousLatinChanting Ominous Latin Chorus]]''
** ''8-bit'' also uses the occasional "walk walk walk" sound effect, and so forth.
** [[http://www.nuklearpower.com/2006/09/12/episode-742-the-nice-clergymen/ Strip #742]] has a particularly fine example in the last panel (in this troper's opinion, a defining example).
** '''''SHIPWRECK!'''''
** '''[[http://www.nuklearpower.com/2006/10/05/episode-752-its-all-fun-and-games-until-everything-dies/ REALLY LOUD SUMMONING AND RUMBLE NOISES!]]'''
** '''[[http://www.nuklearpower.com/2007/03/20/episode-822-too-many-light-warriors-spoil-the-npc/ PUNCHED! AGAIN!]]'''
** '''[[http://www.nuklearpower.com/2007/08/25/episode-885-my-debating-technique-is-unstoppable/ COUNTERPOINT!]]'''
** '''KER-INQUIRY!''' (I forget which one it's in, feel free to add a link)
** Also '''KER-BLOCK!''' and '''KER-PARRY!''' from Fighter's battle with Drizzl.
* [[http://www.irregularwebcomic.net/1841.html This]] ''IrregularWebcomic'' strip is composed entirely of Unsound Effects.
**[[http://www.irregularwebcomic.net/1949.html This one]] also has some good ones, including "Maintain Precarious Grip!", as well as a [[LampshadeHanging link to this very page.]]
**[[http://www.irregularwebcomic.net/2033.html This one]] has "Appear!"
* ''{{Adventurers}}!'' had several. One strip in the final boss battle gives us "Slash! Cleave! Bisect!" Another from earlier has [[http://www.adventurers-comic.com/d/20030610.html "That sound ninjas make when they jump silently!"]], and then later [[http://www.adventurers-comic.com/d/20030612.html "That same sound from the last comic about jumping ninjas!"]]
** [[http://www.adventurers-comic.com/d/20020725.html Sound associated with a falling safe!]]
* A staple in ''BeaverAndSteve'' comics.
* ''[[StickmanAndCube T-T-T-TIMEWARP!]]''
** ''{{Spamusement}}'' has [[http://spamusement.com/index.php/comics/view/290 "KER-TIME-TRAVEL!"]]
* ''CaseyAndAndy'' has the Mime Assassin firing an invisible sniper rifle with [[http://www.galactanet.com/comic/view.php?strip=90 "SILENCE!"]]
** Also [[http://www.galactanet.com/comic/view.php?strip=579 this strip]], which has "Silence" amongst others.
* From ''BiggerThanCheeses'': [[http://www.biggercheese.com/index.php?comic=678 SPINE!]]
** Also "SMITE!" and "Headdesk!" and probably a few more.
** BOJANGLES! serves both as a description of WHAT is getting hit and a pretty damn good UnsoundEffect for getting hit there. I use it myself now.
* [[http://www.bmoviecomic.com/?cid=238 Bludgeon! Scythe!]]
* ''{{Loserz}}'' had "Flee!" in [[http://bukucomics.com/loserz/index.php?comicID=61 this strip]], "Stampede!" in [[http://bukucomics.com/loserz/index.php?comicID=68 this one]], and also "Splurge!" and probably more.
* ''[[http://amazoness.co.uk/4.htm Amazoness!]]'' gives us "Maim!" "Eviscerate!" "Impale!" "Slice!"
* The [[http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=108 Face Full Of Alien Wing Wong]] ''VGCats'' script has "icky noise" in the penultimate frame.
**[[http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=191 This one]] has *monocle*
**[[http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=161 *waddle**waddle**waddle* FACE!]]
** [[http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=95 Don't forget *pee noises*!]]
**And recently, [[http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=33 *Raped*]], and [[spoiler: Geodude]] wasn't even getting raped!
* The reviving effects of [[http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=535 CAFFEINE!]] (also [[http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/musthavecaffeine.png pictured]] in MustHaveCaffeine) are shown in this ''QuestionableContent'' strip.
** Don't forget [[http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1445 SCORN!]] which actually ''[[PaintingTheFourthWall seems to have physical form.]]''
** Jeph Jacques loves these in general. In one guest comic he drew, the characters of ''Niego'' walk into Coffee Of Doom and are promptly assaulted by Raven with a chair, with the UnsoundEffect of "CHAIR!" and "CHAIR AGAIN!" as they're beat upon.
* The [[DadaComics Dada Comic]] ''[[http://www.succubi.org/db/ Listening to 11.975MHz]]'' takes Unsound Effects to a whole new level. Of course, it makes some sort of twisted sense in a comic where the ''dialogue'' also makes no sense...
* DavidGonterman seems fond of "Kick!" There is also [[http://www.furnation.com/FoxStudios/archive/ComicStrip/strip124.html this strip.]] If you can figure out what the heck is going on, please share.
** The "chief" character's warning came too late, it seems, as someone already made a move and got trashcanned, while the "vixen" is now blowing a bubble of chewing gum. The rest of the comic goes directly into "I Am Not Making This Up" territory (and in several places, makes me wish for some kind of mind/eye bleach).
* ''SchlockMercenary'': Schlock's signature plasgun charges up with the sound effect "Ominous hummmm....". On one occasion where it's broken and he tries to fire it, the (lack of) sound effect is "Ominous ''silence''."
**And then there's [[http://www.schlockmercenary.com/d/20080521.html this strip]]:
--->'''Lieutenant''': What are they going to do? [[TemptingFate Take a potshot through two layers of gunmetal]]?
--->'''''POTSHOT'''''
--->'''Corporal''': Correction. Two layers of hullmetal and one lieutenant.
**[[http://www.schlockmercenary.com/d/20060517.html Or this one]]. Squib!
* [[http://derwen.deviantart.com/art/The-Contest-72255448 This cartoon]] from DeviantArt utilizes a lot of unsound effects, like *drink*, *belch*, *incredible loud belch*, and *crickets chirp*. Strangely, it also includes the best onomatopoeia for a power belch this troper has ever seen.
* Strip 12 of ''[[http://www.atomictoy.org/comics/omfe/ OMFE]]'' averts another trope by having an orbital cannon fire with a mighty "[[SpaceIsNoisy NOSOUNDINSPACE]]"
* ''{{Irritability}}'' used DETERMINATION!
* Used in place of actual sound effects most of the time in ''[[http://www.realityexperiment.com Reality Experiment]]'', particularly "Sound of window smashing!"
* ''TheNoob'' has [[http://www.thenoobcomic.com/index.php?pos=306 "Zerg! Zerg! Zerg"]] for an onrushing horde. [[{{StarCraft}} Zerg rush, get it?]]
**That's not an unsound effect, but a battle cry. A particular (rather clueless) guild is ''named'' Z.E.R.G. (short for Zealot Elite Righteous Guardians). That, of course, is the joke.
*[[http://nerfnow.com/comic/27 NerfNow]] has "ZEEEERGLINGS" for the sound of Zerglings, er, being Zerglings. And loving it.
* After several more conventional sound effects, the sound effect on the last panel on [[http://www.drunkduck.com/Final_Blasphemy/index.php?p=128710 this]] page gets a bit abstract.
* Used to indicate a GroinAttack in ''OrderOfTheStick'' [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0586.html #586]].
** [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0017.html Sunder!]]
** [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0437.html AOO!]] is the sound effect for an attack of opportunity, apparently.
** [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0156.html Sneak!]]
** [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0653.html Deflect!]]
* One episode of ''[[http://www.bristled-comic.com/view.php?date=2006-12-08 Bristled]]'' features ''GRAB!''
* [[http://www.incomprehensibility.com/archives.php?type=iwd&c=517 Ironic Shining Light of Doom!]]
** [[http://www.incomprehensibility.com/archives.php?type=iwd&c=520 Violence! Mangle! Dismember!]]
* ''[[http://www.geist-panik.com/ Geist Panik]]'' is absolutely in love with this trope. Notable examples include "Ka-Evil!", "SPAS-12", and, in one case where even the author appeared at a loss, "Um... Fish Noises?"
** And even more recently, "Hoping! ... Real Hard!!" along with "Ominous!" as the Knob squeezes a juice-box.
** There's also "Bush Hat!" "Shadow!" and "Steve Says Hello!". By the way, Steve is a plant.
** And then there's "Passive Aggression!"
** [[http://www.hookiedookiepanic.com/geist/comic.php?ID=32 A recent strip]] features perhaps the ultimate: a sound effect in UnsoundEffect form. "WHOOSH SOUND!"
** A recent one gave this troper a little {{squick}} with "Better than Sex!" Of course the reason it was squicky was that it was associated with a headshot on a zombie from a sniper rifle.
** And a BeyondTheImpossible even-more-ultimate example: "[[http://www.hookiedookiepanic.com/geist/pics/37.jpg Whatever Sound Something Like That Makes!!!]]"
** How about "[[http://www.hookiedookiepanic.com/geist/comic.php?ID=59 No HMO Will Ever Cover This!]]"? That's another good one.
* One of [[MadScientist Gil's]] recent inventions in ''GirlGenius'', the Hand Cranked Runcible Gun makes the sound "Spork! Spork! Spork!" as it fires... Sporks.
* ''TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob'' makes frequent use of this trope, perhaps most notably when space explosions are depicted as "SILENT KABOOM!"
* ''{{Achewood}}'' has [[http://achewood.com/index.php?date=05022005 one]] that crosses over with BilingualBonus: ''diis aliter visum'' translates from Latin to "the gods decided otherwise". Highly appropriate for one who has come BackFromTheDead.
* ''DandyAndCompany'': Christmas decorations appear with a massive [[http://www.dandyandcompany.com/2007/11/26/november-26-2007/ JINGLE!]]
* ''TailsFromTheMynarskiForest'' inverts this by using real words and names that ''sound'' like real sound effects, such as "GDANSK!"
* ''MSPaintMasterpieces'' uses "telprot!" (yes, that's spelled correctly) for teleportation.
* [[http://www.blue-uncia.nl/pages/SoL/SoL0111.shtml This]] StuffOfLegend strip: SUPER SPECIAL SHOVE [[DoomyDoomsOfDoom OF DOOM!]]
* The defunct SpriteComic ''[[http://www.yosc.net/194X/ 194X]]'' had a strip wherein a character hits several people with his "Volunteerin' Stick," making sound effects such as "PERSUADE!" (194X's archive doesn't allow direct links to comics; this happens in #70.)
* [[http://taleotc.com/155 This]] ''Tale of the Cave'' strip features insults hidden in the miss sound effects. Naturally, the protagonist shoots the sound effect guy. This is the only shot he has successfully made to date.
* [[http://superdickery.com/index.php?option=com_content=category&layout=blog&id=36&Itemid=53&limitstart=30 BUTTT]]
* ''MacHall'' had one strip where a human character in ''TheMatrix'' universe who points out the film's plotholes is blasted by a laser gun, which makes the sound '''*VOIP!*'''. Not really an UnsoundEffect...until one sees the strip immediately after, where one of the machines points out a plothole, and is blasted by a '''*VERY ADVANCED VOIP!*'''
* ''FriendlyHostility'' does this a lot. [[http://friendlyhostility.com/d/20081231.html One strip]] featured a character opening and then closing a sash window, with the sound effects *UUUUP* and *DOOOWN*.
** [[http://friendlyhostility.com/d/20080123.html Another strip]] simply used the effect "*sound of pants falling*". [[NotWhatItLooksLike Not What It Sounds Like]], by the way.
** [[http://friendlyhostility.com/d/20081205.html "*The Sound of Clothing Dropping at a Rapid Speed*", "*unbutton unbutton unbutton*"]]. ''Definitely'' what it sounds like, by the way.
** ''[[http://friendlyhostility.com/d/20081029.html *BOOT!*]]''
*''TheCyantianChronicles'' has used:
** "*Pity Me*", Including the asterisks while Khaelis was giving Darius PuppyDogEyes.
** ''Akaelae'' has recently used both "Pounce" and "Glomp" as sound effects.
* This keyboard in ''[[http://www.wastedtalent.ca/index.php?view=180 Wasted Talent]]'' goes "leet leet!"
* [[http://www.sluggy.com/daily.php?date=090206 ILLUMINATE PLEASANTLY]]
** Also from ''SluggyFreelance'': "glitch" (for sword-stabbing), "[[http://www.sluggy.com/daily.php?date=050327 chakat]]" (for gun-cocking... but only if they're set to "Mexican Standoff"), "[[http://www.sluggy.com/daily.php?date=070629 wallet]]" (for mugging), and of course "[[http://www.sluggy.com/daily.php?date=050408 lower da boom]]".
** "Glitch" and "chakat" are proper sound effects, positively visceral and metallic, respectively. Anyhow, overall the unsound effects in Sluggy Freelance vary on a scale between humorous and action-explicating; these often overlap, such as in "stabbity stabbity STAB" being used for three consecutive attempts at stabbing the same target that keeps moving out of the way. Of course, the line to sound effects isn't entirely straightforward either.
** ''Ahem!'' May I present: [[http://www.sluggy.com/daily.php?date=060306 Hugamundo!]]
** "[[http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/20090813 CREEPY ORGAN MUSIC BUILDING TO CRESCENDOOOOOOOOOOO]]"
* ''HoneydewSyndrome'' once used [[http://wwww.honeysyn.net/comic.php?p=136 *facepalm*]].
* [[{{NotSoDistant}} Not So Distant]] uses this quite a bit. Amusingly, "stab" was not used when the main character was stabbed in the leg (splorch), but it WAS used earlier when a pillow got stuck to one of his head spikes (preceded by "flop" as he flopped onto his bed).
* [[http://hail-nekoyasha.deviantart.com/art/Onomatopoeia-28080591 BOOOAAAT!]]
* ''ScaryGoRound'' has Ryan [[http://www.scarygoround.com/?date=20090320 DESPAIR]] at Shelley and Amy's antics.
**John Allison likes Unsound Effects: ''ScaryGoRound'''s follow-up ''Bad Machinery'' already includes [[http://www.scarygoround.com/index.php?date=20091028 "FLING", "RUMMAGE RUMMAGE"]] and Amy fixing Ryan's hair with "[[http://www.scarygoround.com/index.php?date=20091007 fuss fuss comb interfere]]".
* Lampshaded in ''AnsemRetort'', [[http://ansemretort.org/ansemretort/index.html?comic=49 by the titular character]].
** Much later, [[http://www.ansemretort.org/ansemretort/index.html?comic=494 bats]]. Then Larxene.
* Lampshaded and justified in ''{{Digger}}'' a number of times, including the page quote, as well as with [[http://www.diggercomic.com/?p=675 SOUNDS OF DISTANT ETHEREAL CHANTING!]][[hottip:*:There is no feasible onomatopoeia of this.]].
**[[http://www.diggercomic.com/?p=678 SOMEWHAT MORE DISGRUNTLED ETHEREAL CHANTING!]]
**[[http://www.diggercomic.com/?p=744 BY-NOW-FAMILIAR SOUNDS OF GRUMPY ETHEREAL CHANTING!]]
** And eventually, '''POOF![[hottip:*:There was not actually a poof noise.]]'''
* ''SomethingPositive'': [[http://www.somethingpositive.net/sp03282009.shtml "Throwing sound here."]]
** [[http://www.somethingpositive.net/sp03162003.shtml "Sound of liver having an orgasm".]]
* As evidenced by ''[[http://lf.senshuu.com LOVEFEAST]]'', sometimes [[http://lf.senshuu.com/pages/000-01/ grins]] have to be onomatopoetic.
* ''WoodsForTheTrees'' had an "ASS-PINCH."
* ''HijinksEnsue'' featured [[http://hijinksensue.com/2008/05/05/armnomnomnomnom/ a chainsaw that goes "CHAINSAW"]].
* ''ASkewedParadise'': [[http://aspcomics.net/archindex.php?strip_id=138 Stool to the face!]]
* These have become something of a RunningGag on ''DaisyOwl''. A recent strip indicates the tucking in of a bib with ''"tuck tuck"'', while the AltText explains "that sound effect was originally going to be ''"bib bib bib"'' but I felt [[TheWorldIsNotReady the world was not ready]]".
* KevinAndKell: [[DopeSlap Dope]] [[http://www.kevinandkell.com/2004/kk0418.html Slap]]!
* ''TurnSignalsOnALandRaider'' used these occasionally. The effect in the last panel of the last comic is, fittingly, "KA-DISCONTINUE!" when an Imperator Titan kicked Jack.
* ''{{The Fancy Adventures of Jack Cannon}}'' gives us '''''[[http://fancyadventures.com/2009/06/08/page-96/ AWWKWAAARD!]]'''''
** [[http://fancyadventures.com/2009/08/31/page-120/ *STRUGGLE STRUGGLE*]]
* The {{Touhou}} fancomic ''Touhou Nekokayou'' often uses these to compensate for the fact that it's hard to show actions in [[VirtualPaperDoll create.swf]], i.e. [[http://dizzy.pestermom.com/?p=thcomic67 "ready to pounce]]," or even for exposition, i.e. the same strip also has "was just faking it."
* ''LasLindas'': [[http://www.katbox.net/laslindas/index.php?strip_id=57 MESS!]]
** [[http://www.katbox.net/laslindas/index.php?strip_id=74 HOSED!]]

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Web Original ]]

* Some hovertext on [[http://cuteoverload.com/2009/09/08/so-dr-charmin-my-old-nemesis/ CuteOverload]] includes "Perforate! Unspool!" and then goes into "Verb! Another verb! Yet another completely different verb!"
* During [[TheAngryVideoGameNerd The Angry Video Game Nerd's]] fight with the Joker in the second half of his Batman review, sound effects such as 'MARTY', 'JUGYIOP', and 'FUCKBALLS' appear.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Western Animation ]]

* ''FairlyOddParents'' once had "Replacement hamster!" as a WrittenSoundEffect. For someone being punched: HURT!
** ThisTroper can't remember any specific examples right now that he is 100% sure about, but seems to remember "[[YeOldeButcheredeEnglishe Poof-eth]]."
** Unsound Effects are practically a RunningGag on ''FairlyOddParents'' at this point; they show up in nearly every episode.
** You mean the words written on the "Poof" clouds when Cosmo and Wanda (actually any magic-using character, actually) does something with magic. Usually, they're related to a wish or another event. Norm the Genie, on the other hand, only has "GONG!". The Pixies have "PING!", as well. Unsound effects show up a great deal in the Crimson Chin comics, which of course are parodies of normal superhero comics, which love this trope.
--->KA-CHIN!
** This troper's personal favorite comes from the opening cutscene of a ''FairlyOddParents'' videogame, where Cosmo summons up Da Rules with the "Poof" cloud [[MacGuffin "PLOT DEVICE!"]]
* Appearances by Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy on ''SpongeBobSquarePants'' often use these as part of their being a Batman spoof: "HANG UP!" "SIT!" "WINK!"
** KING ME! when the characters were playing checkers.
* The LooneyTunes short "Now Hear This" climaxes with a gigantic explosion, accompanied by the words "GIGANTIC EXPLOSION" appearing onscreen, probably one of the most unimaginative onomatopoeia ever devised.
** {{Rule Of Funny}}
** It was [[http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/giganticexplosion.jpg used again]] in the RoadRunnerVsCoyote short "Soup or Sonic", to cap off the penultimate scene.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Real Life ]]

*TruthInTelevision: Used in online games with text-only communication, or text-only communications for that matter. For example, *slap* means you slapped someone. *Bang head* means your headbanging, and so forth, and who could forget *{{Facepalm}}*?
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