Snapping

During the walk home from school this afternoon, Madeleine showed off her increased ability to snap her fingers.

MADELEINE: Mommy.  I'm getting really good at this now!  (snapping several times)
ME: Wow!  You really are!
MADELEINE: But Mommy?  I don't really *like* the sound, because it sounds like...
ME: Like what?
MADELEINE: (glancing around furtively at the other children and adults walking near us) Mmm...
ME: It sounds like what?
MADELEINE: (nearly inaudibly) Mmm...I can't really...
ME: Okay.

Once we had reached a part of the sidewalk that was clear of people, Madeleine resumed the conversation.

MADELEINE: Okay.  I don't really like the sound, because it sounds like popcorn popping out of BUTTCRACKS.
ME: Uh...
MADELEINE: Doesn't it?  Listen (snapping again)
ME: I can see how it sounds like popcorn popping.  But why does it have to be out of buttcracks?
MADELEINE:  Because it's DISGUSTING!
ME: If it sounds disgusting to you, then why are you working so hard on snapping?
MADELEINE: Because.  Once you get GOOD at it, it sounds like: (clapping her hands sharply.)
ME: Oh.  Okay.  I see.

It's like learning an instrument, I guess.  Like, the violin sounds pretty horrible under a beginner's bow, so the goal is to evolve from a dying cat's howl to sweetness.  And apparently, with snapping, the goal is to evolve from popcorn popping out of buttcracks to hand claps.