wow English · revision 3165

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=onomatopoeia|attested=1513}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /waʊ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a natural exclamation,^(SOED 2002)^(NODE 1998) first recorded in Scots;^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) Barnhart and Merriam-Webster call it imitative.^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) The noun and the verb are from the interjection.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ An exclamation of surprise, admiration, aversion or sorrow: 1513,^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) in Scots;^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) Barnhart dates it before 1500.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Scots ''wow'' could express aversion or sorrow as well as admiration,^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002) and the Scots and northern English dialects used it in phrases such as ''dear wow''.^(Wright 1898) It came into general use, chiefly for astonishment or admiration, by 1892.^(OED 1989) The interjection had new popularity in the early 1900s and again from the 1960s.^(Etymonline) In American slang the noun, “a sensational success”, is from 1920,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and the verb, “to overwhelm with delight”, from 1924, in ''Variety''.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1513 – Scots exclamation.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1892 – in general use.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1920 – noun, a sensational success.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1921 – adjective, exciting admiration.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1924 – verb, to impress greatly.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Interjection===

+ # Used to express [[wonder]], [[amazement]] or great pleasure.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(slang)'' An outstanding success.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # ''(slang)'' To impress or delight greatly, especially an [[audience]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[whoa]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ A separate, imitative ''wow'' means a dog's bark or a cat's wail, from the late 18th century,^(SOED 2002)^(OED 1989) and in sound recording a slow fluctuation in pitch, from 1932.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) In Scots there was also a verb ''wow'', “to wave, beckon”.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}