Literary notes about Chirrup (AI summary)
Writers deploy “chirrup” to evoke a particular musicality in sound, blending natural auditory imagery with character expression. It is often used to mirror the light, rapid notes of birds or insects—evoking the cheerful call of a sparrow or the quick, crystalline sound of crickets, as when robins “chirrup” merrily or the chirruping of grasshoppers reinforces a scene’s rustic setting [1], [2]. In dialogue, a brief chirrup can capture a moment of humorous exasperation or gentle mockery, subtly coloring a character’s mood in a way that’s as fleeting as it is vivid [3], [4]. Moreover, its adaptability is evident in its metaphorical use to signal brisk, lively communication, whether in an urgent command or a spirited farewell, thereby enriching the overall rhythm and tone of the narrative [5], [6].
- Crickets chirrup merrily, And grasshoppers cheerily,
— from Plays Being: An unhistorical pastoral: A romantic farce: Bruce, a chronicle play: Smith, a tragic farce: and Scaramouch in Naxos, a pantomime. - But she heard the chirrup of the sparrows, the call of thrush and blackbird, and far away the hymn of praise of the skylark.
— from Petticoat Rule by Orczy, Emmuska Orczy, Baroness - She checked a chirrup of laughter and her smile faded when she opened her eyes on Britt's sourness.
— from When Egypt Went Broke: A Novel by Holman Day - When he saw my white face he gave a little chirrup of joy and came running up towards me.
— from The Sign of the Four by Arthur Conan Doyle - "He had better chirrup to the dog while he's there, don't you think?" suggested Sam.
— from Three Men and a Maid by P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse - Ask no more, or ask The sun that visits their grave so lightly; Ask of the whispering reeds, or task The mourning crickets that chirrup nightly.
— from Complete Poetical Works by Bret Harte
