the.com/whirr
The sound a machine makes while pretending it's working hard.
means A continuous low buzzing or humming noise made by something spinning or moving fast.
from Likely Scandinavian, echoing the sound itself — a word built by imitation, born onomatopoeic, named after exactly what it does.
Self-namingThe word sounds like the thing it describes.
Spelling chaosAlso spelled whir, with one r, equally valid.
Machine ageBeloved by fans, drones, hard drives, and hummingbirds.