howler vs wow what difference

what is difference between howler and wow

English

Etymology

howl +‎ -er. Some senses are derivatives of the intensifier “howling”, as in “howling wilderness”, (Deuteronomy 32:10)

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈhaʊlɚ/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈhaʊlə/
• Rhymes: -aʊlə(ɹ)
• Hyphenation: howl‧er

Noun

howler (plural howlers)

1. That which howls, especially an animal such as a wolf or a howler monkey.
2. (historical) A person hired to howl at a funeral.
3. (slang) A painfully obvious mistake.
   • 1993, Paul Krugman, How I Work, October 1 1993, in: Paul Krugman, Arguing with Zombies, 2020, p. 402:

     Given what we know about cognitive psychology, utility maximization is a ludicrous concept; equilibrium pretty foolish outside of financial markets; perfect competition a howler for most industries.

   • 2009, Tom Burton, Quadrant, November 2009, No. 461 (Volume LIII, Number 11), Quadrant Magazine Limited, page 78:

     A howler is a glaring mistake, a mistake that cries out to be noticed.

4. (slang) A hilarious joke.
5. (slang) A bitterly cold day.
6. (psychology) A person who expresses aggression openly in the form of threats.

   Coordinate term: hunter

   • 2008, J. Reid Meloy, Lorraine Sheridan, Jens Hoffmann, Stalking, Threatening, and Attacking Public Figures (page 121)

     Although their behavior does not have the same impact as hunters, howlers nevertheless distract the public figure and compel security and law enforcement […]

   • 2015, Steve Albrecht, Library Security: Better Communication, Safer Facilities

     Hunters stalk their targets, make detailed plans, acquire and practice with weapons, and try to hurt or kill people. Howlers make bomb threats to schools, malls, churches, businesses, and government offices.

7. (sometimes figuratively) A heavy fall.
8. (slang) A serious accident (especially to come a howler or go a howler; compare come a cropper).

   Our hansom came a howler.

9. (slang) A tremendous lie; a whopper.
10. (slang, dated) A fashionably but extravagantly overdressed man, a “howling swell”.
11. (historical) A 32-ounce ceramic, plastic, or stainless steel jug used to transport draft beer.

Derived terms

• calamity howler

Translations

References

Anagrams

• Wohler, wholer

English

Etymology 1

Attested since the 16th century; borrowed from Scots wow.

Pronunciation

• enPR: wou, IPA^(key): /waʊ̯/
• Rhymes: -aʊ

Interjection

wow

1. An indication of excitement, surprise, astonishment, or pleasure.
   • 1513, Gavin Douglas, Virgil Æneid (translation) vi. Prol. 19:

     Out on thir wanderand spiritis, wow! thow cryis.

2. An expression of amazement, awe, or admiration.

3. Used sarcastically to express disapproval of something.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:wow

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

wow (third-person singular simple present wows, present participle wowing, simple past and past participle wowed)

1. (transitive, informal) To amaze or awe.

Translations

Noun

wow (plural wows)

1. (informal) Anything exceptionally surprising, unbelievable, outstanding, etc.
   • 1991, Stephen Fry, The Liar, p. 27:

     ‘Jesus suffering fuck,’ said Adrian. ‘It’s not half a thought.’¶ ‘Face it, it’s a wow.’

Derived terms

• wowless

Etymology 2

Imitative.

Noun

wow (countable and uncountable, plural wows)

1. (audio) A relatively slow form of flutter (pitch variation) which can affect both gramophone records and tape recorders.
   • 1970, Larry G. Goodwin, ‎Thomas Koehring, Closed-circuit Television Production Techniques (page 80)

     Sound films have to be loaded so that the sound is 5 seconds before the sound drum so a wow does not result when the film is punched up on the air.

Anagrams

• oww

Atikamekw

Noun

wow

1. egg

Middle English

Noun

wow

1. Alternative form of wowe

Polish

Etymology

From English wow.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): //waw//

Interjection

wow

1. (colloquial, slang, informal) wow

Further reading

• wow in Wielki słownik języka polskiego, Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN
• wow in Polish dictionaries at PWN

Spanish

Etymology

Borrowed from English wow.

Interjection

wow

1. wow (an indication of excitement or surprise)

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