Why might a common word like whisper be considered an example of onomatopoeia?

While "whisper" itself doesn't directly mimic the sound of whispering, it's considered an example of onomatopoeia because of its sound symbolism.

Here's why:

* The 'wh' sound: The initial 'wh' sound in "whisper" suggests a soft, breathy quality, similar to how a whisper is produced.

* The 's' sound: The 's' sound in "whisper" is also associated with softness and quietness.

* The 'per' sound: The 'per' sound, while not directly mimicking a sound, adds to the feeling of a quiet, hushed utterance.

Therefore, even though "whisper" doesn't perfectly replicate the actual sound of whispering, it evokes the feeling and impression of a whisper through its sound symbolism. This is a characteristic of onomatopoeia, where words imitate or evoke the sounds they represent.