A yip is a short, sharp, high-pitched bark or cry, the kind a small dog makes when it's excited, scared, or wants attention. Picture a chihuahua or terrier letting out quick, squeaky barks: yip, yip, yip! That's yipping.

The word captures both the sound and the feeling: yips are sudden, a bit frantic, and often come in bursts. A puppy might yip when it sees its owner come home. Prairie dogs yip to warn each other about predators. Even people sometimes yip: you might let out a surprised yip if you touch something unexpectedly cold, or yip with excitement when you win a close game.

Athletes and performers sometimes talk about the yips, which means something different: a sudden loss of ability to perform a skill you normally do well, like a basketball player who suddenly can't make free throws or a golfer whose putting falls apart. It's called the yips because the nervousness can make your movements jerky and uncertain, almost like those quick, anxious barks.