cackling

Cackling is a distinctive type of laugh characterized by a sharp, high-pitched, and often sustained noise. The sound resembles a rolling or creaking laugh and can express amusement, mockery, or exaggerated delight. Linguistically, cackling is considered a form of vocalization that conveys strong emotional reactions, particularly in informal or playful contexts. It differs from a chuckle in its intensity and volume, and from a snort in its rhythmic quality.

The term originates from Old English "cacciare," meaning a harsh laugh, and has been used in literature for centuries to describe the humorous or mischievous humor of characters, especially witches and jesters. In contemporary usage, cackling is associated with both juvenile joking and adult sarcasm. It often appears in comedic situations where a protagonist or antagonist ridicules the other, or as an exaggerated expression of triumph in children's stories.

Cackling can also denote a particular vocal style in music, most notably the exuberant "cackling" breaths and short exclamations found in early jazz and swing performances. In film and television, the sound is frequently employed in horror or suspense genres to heighten the unsettling atmosphere, exemplified by witches, villains, or climactic scenes. Because it is a culturally specific vocal manifestation, cackling may carry different connotations across languages, but it generally signals a spontaneous, loud, and very animated form of laughter.