Whammy: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ฅ
whammy
[ หwรฆmi ]
informal context
The term 'whammy' refers to a powerful, often negative influence or effect that causes misfortune or trouble. It is often used in a colloquial sense to describe an unexpected setback or failure, particularly in games or competitions. The phrase 'double whammy' is commonly used to denote a situation where two negative events occur simultaneously. The use of 'whammy' conveys a sense of surprise and impact, suggesting a force that dramatically alters a situation.
Synonyms
blow, curse, jinx, misfortune
Examples of usage
- He hit the jackpot, but then a financial whammy struck.
- Losing the match was a real whammy for the team.
- She faced a double whammy of bad luck when both her car broke down and she lost her job.
Translations
Translations of the word "whammy" in other languages:
๐ต๐น azar
๐ฎ๐ณ เคฆเฅเคท
๐ฉ๐ช Unglรผck
๐ฎ๐ฉ sial
๐บ๐ฆ ะฝะตะฒะดะฐัะฐ
๐ต๐ฑ pech
๐ฏ๐ต ไธ้
๐ซ๐ท malchance
๐ช๐ธ desgracia
๐น๐ท ลanssฤฑzlฤฑk
๐ฐ๐ท ๋ถ์ด
๐ธ๐ฆ ุญุธ ุณูุก
๐จ๐ฟ neลกtฤstรญ
๐ธ๐ฐ neลกลฅastie
๐จ๐ณ ๅ่ฟ
๐ธ๐ฎ nesreฤa
๐ฎ๐ธ รณheppni
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัำัััะทะดัะบ
๐ฌ๐ช แซแแแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ bษxtsizlik
๐ฒ๐ฝ desgracia
Etymology
The word 'whammy' is believed to have originated in American English, possibly in the late 20th century, and is thought to be derived from the phrase 'wham,' which denotes a sudden impact or blow. Its usage has been popularized through various media, including music and television. The association of 'whammy' with bad luck and misfortune may stem from its idiomatic context in games, where an unexpected negative event can change the outcome dramatically. The term became widely recognized through its use in popular culture, including the game show 'The Price Is Right,' where 'whammy' referred to a character that would take away contestants' winnings. Today, it continues to be used informally across various contexts to convey unexpected setbacks or negative influences.