whigmaleerie

[ hwig-muh-leer-ee, wig- ]

noun

1. a whim; notion.
2. a whimsical or fanciful ornament or contrivance; gimmick.

whigmaleerie

/ ˌhwɪɡməˈliːrɪ /

noun

1. a trinket, whimsical ornament, or trifle
2. a whim or caprice

Word History and Origins

Origin of whigmaleerie¹

1720–30; originally Scots, earlier figmalirie, perhaps with fig ( fidget, whig ); for -ma-, rigmarole, thingamajig

Word History and Origins

Origin of whigmaleerie¹

C18: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Just look at him, with an old taffeta whigmaleerie tied to his back, like Paddy from Cork, with his coat buttoned behind!

From Project Gutenberg

Whigmaleerie, as to the derivation of which you seem to be in some perplexity, is in Norwegian Vægmaleri.

From Project Gutenberg