PLoP

Plop is an onomatopoeic word used in English to imitate the sound of a small object dropping into liquid or making a soft landing. It is commonly used in writing, comics, cartoons, radio transcripts, and children's literature to convey a quick, unobtrusive action without description. The term can denote anything from a coin sinking into a bowl to water droplets landing in a pond.

Beyond its function as a sound effect, "plop" appears as a playful common noun or proper name in various media, with characters, products, or projects adopting the word as a label. Its usage is largely contextual and often informal.

In computing and computer science, PLoP refers to Pattern Languages of Programs, a recognized conference series and community centered on software design patterns. The acronym is typically styled as PLoP rather than the everyday word "plop" to avoid confusion with the onomatopoeia, and it is distinct from other uses of the term.