noogie

American  

[noog-ee] / ˈnʊg i /

Also nuggie,

noun

Slang.

1. a light blow or jab, usually to a person's head, back, or upper arm and accompanied by a twisting motion, with the extended knuckle of the curled-up second or third finger: done as a gesture of affection or painfully as a prank.

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Etymology

Origin of noogie

1975–80; apparently expressive alteration of knuckle; -y ²

Example Sentences

This internal interrogation — vulnerable questions he’s likely asking himself for the first time — is hilariously juxtaposed with stereotypical “masculine” actions, such as giving another Ken a noogie with his fingerless-leather-gloved fist and blocking an attack with the mere display of his abs.

From Los Angeles Times

Even though he was easily re-elected in 2020, Sasse spoke of “ups and downs” of his Senate career in a December farewell speech, saying his tenure “felt like a noogie and a slap and a head butt and a hug all at once.”

From Seattle Times

By the end of a long weekend that flipped the “best conference” argument on its head, a Pac-12 team administering that kind of noogie to one of the sport’s venerable programs felt like a West Coast hoops birthright.

From Los Angeles Times

The Trump administration has “administered” a noogie to the people of the United States.

From Washington Post

More precisely, he spotted me, made a beeline in my direction, put me in a headlock and gave me a noogie, just like my brothers’ friends used to do — if you grew up in Catholic school a few decades ago, you know exactly what kind of playground move I am talking about.

From Washington Post