The title of this piece (Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les Maillotins) can be interpreted in two parts: "Le tic-toc-choc" represents the rhythm of a clock, and the last part "ou Les Maillotins" represents little hammers, possibly in relation to the percussive character of the piece. Originally written for two manuals (keyboards) on the harpsichord, modern pianists play this piece with one hand on top of the other. This makes the piece all the more intriguing and difficult as it requires very fast and light finger action.