(rhymes with honk) A verb, describing a specific gait observed in certain humans. Its origin must have been onomatopoeic – inspired by the activity the word denotes. Plonking causes the walker to bob up and down noticeably more than most people, and is described as follows. The sole of the foot, instead of contacting and departing the ground in one more or less fluid motion, goes through stages. First, the entire sole briefly contacts the ground. Second, the heel rises off the ground – raising the body with it – but not very much, while the weight of the body shifts to the front of the foot. Third, the heel dips slightly, but not enough to contact the ground again. Fourth, the front of the foot is used to push off, and the foot leaves the ground.