Ablaut time
Which made-up phrase sounds better to you: “sack sick” or “sick sack”? How about “make mock” or “mock make”?
If you’re a native English speaker, you are probably more comfortable saying “sick sack” and “make mock,” even though they are nonsense phrases.
But why?
You’re certainly familiar with “TikTok,” the app that allows you to share short videos, which sounds just like “tick-tock,” the noise a clock makes. A horse’s hooves go “clip-clop,” you shouldn’t “dilly-dally,” and “KitKat” is a delicious candy bar.
Do you see a pattern? No? It’s called “ablaut reduplication.” Does that help? Didn’t think so.