googlewhack: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowInformal, chiefly Internet / Hacker slang
Quick answer
What does “googlewhack” mean?
An obscure, successful web search that returns exactly one result when two specific words are typed into the Google search engine.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An obscure, successful web search that returns exactly one result when two specific words are typed into the Google search engine.
A rare combination of two distinct words that produces a single search result, often sought as a linguistic or internet-based challenge. The term also refers to the act of finding such a result. The game was popularised in the early 2000s.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated with British-American writer Gary Stock, but its usage is confined to internet subcultures without significant geographical variation.
Connotations
Playful, geeky, nostalgic for the early web.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both dialects, known primarily to older internet enthusiasts.
Grammar
How to Use “googlewhack” in a Sentence
to googlewhack (something)to get/find/achieve a googlewhackVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “googlewhack” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Let's try to googlewhack 'floccinaucinihilipilification' and 'antidisestablishmentarianism'.
- He spent the afternoon googlewhacking obscure culinary terms.
American English
- We attempted to googlewhack 'defenestration' and 'zyzzyva'.
- They used the dictionary to googlewhack strange word pairs.
adjective
British English
- He was proud of his googlewhack find.
- The googlewhack challenge proved frustrating.
American English
- She achieved a googlewhack result before breakfast.
- That's a real googlewhack combination.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused.
Academic
Rarely used, possibly in studies of internet linguistics or digital culture.
Everyday
Not used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Used historically within niche tech/internet communities discussing search algorithms.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “googlewhack”
- Spelling as 'Googlewack' or 'Google-whack'. Using it to mean any successful Google search.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is extremely unlikely due to the size of the modern web, search engine optimisation (SEO), and duplicate content, which makes a single unique result nearly impossible.
No, it is an informal term coined by users and popularised by media. It is not endorsed or used officially by Google.
No, by the original definition, a googlewhack requires exactly two words. A single-word search returning one result was not part of the challenge.
'Whack' in this context likely means 'a hit' or 'a strike', implying a successful, direct hit on a single target.
An obscure, successful web search that returns exactly one result when two specific words are typed into the Google search engine.
Googlewhack is usually informal, chiefly internet / hacker slang in register.
Googlewhack: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡuːɡəlwak/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡuːɡəlwæk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “as rare as a googlewhack”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of getting a single 'whack' (hit) from Google.
Conceptual Metaphor
A digital unicorn (something extremely rare and mythical).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary defining characteristic of a googlewhack?