What does conking mean?
Conking is the present participle of the informal verb “conk,” which carries several distinct meanings depending on context. Most commonly, it appears in the phrase “conk out,” describing a machine, engine, or even a person suddenly ceasing to work or run out of energy — a car might keep conking out on the highway, or a tired hiker might feel like conking out before reaching camp. In British English, conking also means striking someone on the head, as in being conked by a falling object. A third, now largely historical American sense refers to chemically straightening curly hair, a practice known in the early twentieth century as getting a “conk.” The word is firmly colloquial: it suits casual conversation, humor, and journalism rather than formal writing. Its punchy sound and versatility make it a lively choice whenever something — mechanical or human — abruptly gives up.
verbPresent participle of "conk": to strike someone on the head, or (of a machine or engine) to stop working suddenly.
- (of a machine or engine) to break down or stop working suddenly
- to hit someone on the head
- (dated US slang) to straighten curly hair with chemicals
"The old lawnmower kept conking out halfway across the yard."
"The car kept conking out at every traffic light until we finally took it to the mechanic."
"He was nearly knocked cold when a falling branch came down and started conking passers-by."
"Conk" is one of those rare words that can mean knocking someone out, an engine dying mid-drive, and — in American history — chemically straightening hair, all with the same five letters.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of conking
The verb “conk” first appeared in American English in the nineteenth century, though its ultimate origin is uncertain; it may be imitative of a blow or knock, and some sources link it to “conch,” referring to a shell used as an improvised club. From the sense of striking a blow developed both the machine-failure sense (“conk out”) and the head-hitting sense. The hair-straightening sense emerged in early twentieth-century African-American usage, possibly because the process involved applying substances associated with the earlier senses of the word.
Related word forms
How conking is actually used
Informal register throughout. The phrasal verb "conk out" is by far the most common modern usage, especially for engines, machines, or people running out of energy. The sense meaning hitting someone on the head is chiefly British and somewhat dated. The African-American hair-straightening sense of "conk" dates from the early-to-mid 20th century and appears mainly in historical contexts today.
Easily confused with conking
A conch is a large spiral seashell, whereas conking refers either to hitting someone's head or a machine breaking down.
A conker is the seed of a horse chestnut used in a British children's game, unrelated in meaning to conking.