- Playing off the term "putting someone to sleep," which is characterized with knocking someone out with a blow. A tick-tock thus signifies that it is someone's "bedtime" and the attacker is going to put that someone "to sleep" The sound of a clock ticking and a punch are also similar.
tick-tock (1)
noun compound, onomatopoeia
a knockout punch to the head
Etymology : compound formed form roots tick and tock
Source : "Is it your bedtime already, because I can give you a tick-tock." (Conversation, 2011)
Last modified: 2 December 2011