whigmaleerie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1literary/archaic/dialectal
Quick answer
What does “whigmaleerie” mean?
A fanciful, frivolous, or whimsical object.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fanciful, frivolous, or whimsical object; a trinket or gimcrack.
An extravagant or complicated idea, notion, or piece of machinery, often one regarded as unnecessary or overly elaborate. It can also refer to a capricious or fanciful turn of mind or speech.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Chiefly a Scottish English word. In US English, it is extremely rare and would be considered a literary or historical curiosity.
Connotations
In British (particularly Scottish) usage, it retains a slightly more dialectal, humorous, or rustic flavour. In American usage, if used, it would sound deliberately quaint or archaic.
Frequency
Virtually never used in modern American English. Extremely rare even in modern British English, confined to literary or dialectal contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “whigmaleerie” in a Sentence
a whigmaleerie of [something]full of whigmaleeriesVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Unlikely to be used. If used, would be pejorative for an overly complicated, unprofitable product or project.
Academic
Might appear in historical or literary studies discussing 18th-19th century Scottish literature or the history of material culture.
Everyday
Not used in modern everyday conversation. Would be a deliberate, playful archaism.
Technical
No technical usage.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “whigmaleerie”
- Spelling it as 'whigmaleery' or 'whigmaleary'.
- Using it as a verb (it is a noun).
- Using it in a modern, serious context where its archaic/dialectal tone is inappropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic or dialectal word, primarily Scottish, and is very rarely used in modern English except for deliberate literary or humorous effect.
Yes, its extended meaning includes fanciful, whimsical, or overly complicated notions or theories.
It is of Scots origin, dating from the early 18th century, and its exact etymology is uncertain but it is likely fanciful in formation itself.
Only if you are aiming for a very specific, archaic, or dialectal flavour. For general purposes, synonyms like 'trinket', 'whimsy', or 'gadget' are far more appropriate and understandable.
A fanciful, frivolous, or whimsical object.
Whigmaleerie is usually literary/archaic/dialectal in register.
Whigmaleerie: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhwɪɡməˈlɪəri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌ(h)wɪɡməˈlɪri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(to be) full of whigmaleeries (of the mind): to have fanciful or capricious ideas”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
WHIGmaleerie: Think of a WHIG (a historical political party) wearing a MAL (bad) and EERIE (strange) collection of useless, fancy badges and ribbons.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FANCIFUL IDEA IS A USELESS ORNAMENT.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate description of a 'whigmaleerie'?