whigmaleery: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / ObsoleteArchaic, Literary, Dialectal (chiefly Scottish)
Quick answer
What does “whigmaleery” mean?
A fanciful or whimsical object, notion, or ornament.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fanciful or whimsical object, notion, or ornament; something capricious or frivolous.
In extended use: whimsical or fanciful behavior; capriciousness; a trivial or whimsical concern; an ornamental trifle. Historically used more broadly for any odd or fanciful contraption or idea.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is almost exclusively a British (specifically Scottish) English term. It is virtually unknown in general American English.
Connotations
In British (Scottish) usage, it retains a strong regional and historical flavor. In American English, if encountered, it would be perceived as a highly obscure literary or archaic borrowing.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary British English and almost non-existent in American English. Found primarily in historical texts, Scottish literature, or as a deliberate archaism.
Grammar
How to Use “whigmaleery” in a Sentence
[be] a whigmaleery[have] a whigmaleery [for][full of] whigmaleeriesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “whigmaleery” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- (Rare/Non-standard) He had a whigmaleery sort of mind, always dreaming up odd contraptions.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical or linguistic studies discussing obscure/archaic vocabulary.
Everyday
Not used in contemporary everyday English. Might be used humorously or affectively in Scotland.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “whigmaleery”
- Misspelling as 'whigmaleerie' or 'whigmaleary'.
- Using it as a verb (it is historically a noun).
- Assuming it is in common current use.
- Pronouncing the 'gh' as /f/ (as in 'enough'); it is silent.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a genuine, though now rare and archaic, word originating from Scots and Scottish English, primarily used in the 18th and 19th centuries.
No, historically it is a noun. Using it as a verb would be a non-standard, creative extension.
For most learners, it is a 'recognition' word only—useful for understanding historical or literary texts but not recommended for active use in speaking or writing.
'Whimsy' or 'trifle' capture the core meaning of a fanciful, non-serious object or idea.
Whigmaleery is usually archaic, literary, dialectal (chiefly scottish) in register.
Whigmaleery: in British English it is pronounced /ˌwɪɡməˈlɪəri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhwɪɡməˈlɪri/ (hypothetical, based on spelling). Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “full of whims and whigmaleeries”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a WIG made of MALLEABLE material that's all EERY (weird) – a strange, fanciful, flimsy thing.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FANCIFUL IDEA IS A PHYSICAL TRINKET (e.g., 'He's filled his head with such whigmaleeries').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'whigmaleery' MOST likely to be found?