Bonk comes from Team Fortress 2, Valve's class-based shooter, where it is closely associated with the Scout and his bat and the Bonk! Atomic Punch drink. The short, exaggerated hit sound became a staple of TF2 gameplay clips and edits, where players used it to underline kills, misses and slapstick moments. As those clips spread to YouTube, TikTok and soundboard sites, the bonk turned into a shorthand for a comic hit even for viewers who had never played the game, which is why editors still reach for it today.