A chortle is a mix between a chuckle and a snort. It is a lighthearted laugh that is usually accompanied by a smile. A giggle, on the other hand, is a high-pitched and often uncontrollable laugh. It is usually associated with children or with someone who is feeling nervous.
Comparison of the chortle and giggle
The main difference between a chortle and a giggle is the sound each word makes. A chortle is a deep, guttural laugh that originates from the chest, while a giggle is a high-pitched, light laugh that comes from the throat. While both are expressions of amusement, a chortle is usually indicative of something funnier than a giggle.
Another interesting difference between chortle and giggle has to do with their etymologies. Chortle actually comes from a combination of two different words: “chuckle” and “snort.” Giggle, on the other hand, comes from the word “giggling,” which in turn comes from the Dutch word “giggelen.”
So what does all of this mean? Well, for one thing, it shows that chortle is a bit of an older word than giggle. It also suggests that a chortle might be considered a more “serious” laugh than a giggle – after all, it incorporates the word “chuckle,” which tends to be associated with deeper laughter.
When to use each word
If your friend tells a joke that makes you laugh out loud, you could say, “That was funny – I couldn’t help but giggle!”
On the other hand, if something tickles your fancy and you find yourself laughing uncontrollably, you might say, “I was practically chortling with delight!”
Example sentences
If you’re not sure how to use chortle and giggle, here are some example sentences to help you out.
When I saw the cat fall off the roof, I couldn’t help but giggle.
The baby’s cute coos turned into a belly laugh, or rather, a chortle.
Photo by Gustavo Fring: https://www.pexels.com/photo/happy-mother-giggling-while-sitting-with-children-4017410/
