The origin of "clink" can be traced back to the Middle English word "clinken," which was itself derived from the Old English word "clinc," meaning "to ring, to resound."
Here's a breakdown of its origins:
* Old English: "clinc" (to ring, to resound)
* Middle English: "clinken" (to ring, to resound)
* Modern English: "clink" (the sound of two hard objects striking together)
The word "clink" has evolved over time, but its core meaning of representing a sharp, ringing sound has remained consistent. This is why we use it to describe the sound of glasses hitting each other, coins being dropped, or metal objects striking together.