in regard to puff
Coca-Cola has erased its famous script from its new cans. Gone, puff, vanished, leaving behind a naked white ribbon, fluttering against Coke’s theater-curtain-red backdrop.

I want to know which word class "puff" in the above is, a noun or verb ? if it is a verb there ,why not use its past participle ,puffed ,like other two words, gone and vanished.

Question

in regard to puff
Coca-Cola has erased its famous script from its new cans. Gone, puff, vanished, leaving behind a naked white ribbon, fluttering against Coke’s theater-curtain-red backdrop.

I want to know which word class "puff" in the above is, a noun or verb ? if it is a verb there ,why not use its past participle ,puffed ,like other two words, gone and vanished.

Answer

It's not a noun or a verb. In fact, it's an example of onomatopoeia, which is a word imitating or suggesting a particular sound, movement or reaction, often used for dramatic effect. It's like 'Boom! or 'Shh'.

In this case 'puff' is like saying 'Whoosh! Suddenly, it's gone. Disappeared!'

Answer

Interesting question. It isn't a verb in this context. It comes from the phrase "to vanish in a puff of smoke" (this is how magicians often disappear!). A "puff" is a noun, meaning "a bit of smoke". In the sentence you have quoted, it's almost being used as an exclamation.

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