klick

Definition

A kilometer.

Etymology

* Most likely a pseudo-condensed pronunciation of kilometer, being a suitably short word emphasizing k+l instead of /keɪ/ alone (the same principle as with military spelling alphabets, but also clearly distinguished from kilo (/kiːloʊ/) for kilogram). * Possibly onomatopoeic of the sound of a military odometer. When a soldier would complete a mark, they would signal to their commander and denote movement of 1,000 meters by hoisting up their rifle and moving the gas regulator with their thumb, which made a "click" the commander could hear.

Example Sentences

• "Several klicks closer, the ruins of the City of Poets rose jaggedly against the skyline."
• "an asteroid between one and three kilometers wide had slammed into the ground at fifteen klicks per second."
• "Chief, can you hear me?...(static) My bird's down. Half a klick -(static)- downriver from your position."