sound

aw(w), law, saw, draw--"simpler, flat-a use of the letter “w”,  connating a sense of human effort?

Compare: ma, pa

                  maw, paw

As usual, nuances of meaning change with social context and energy. For example,while still in the realm of effort and work with "awl," things start to change with "awe," and, most pointedly within the "youth" culture at present, "awesome." Enough associated energy can quickly turn the laborius into the "cool."