williwaw

American  

[wil-ee-waw] / ˈwɪl iˌwɔ /

noun

1. a violent squall that blows in near-polar latitudes, as in the Strait of Magellan, Alaska, and the Aleutian Islands.

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williwaw British  

/ ˈwɪlɪˌwɔː /

noun

1. a sudden strong gust of cold wind blowing offshore from a mountainous coast, as in the Strait of Magellan

2. a state of great turmoil

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Etymology

Origin of williwaw

First recorded in 1835–45; origin uncertain

Explanation

A williwaw might sound quirky, but it’s no joke! It’s a sudden, powerful gust of wind that can be an unpleasant surprise for sailors or hikers. It can also describe a whirlwind of chaos or agitation. The word williwaw was used by British sailors in the 19th century to describe sudden, fierce gusts of wind, often in coastal or mountainous areas. These winds are unpredictable, turning a calm day into a dangerous one in an instant. Williwaw can also describe a sudden rush of emotional turmoil, like when life seems to spin out of control. Whether a literal blast of wind or a metaphorical storm, the word williwaw is great for describing sudden, intense forces.

Example Sentences

Last week the Cabinet met in Paris, listened for five hours to the williwaw of conflicting opinions.

From Time Magazine Archive

Stanley Umstead started the four engines from left to right, kicking up a great williwaw of dust as he turned them up.

From Time Magazine Archive

This williwaw raises enough of a dust-screen for Miss Warren to squeeze in the kind of songs Deanna used to sing and the title song, a very tuneful melody.

From Time Magazine Archive

A young Boston reserve officer named Melvin Johnson has raised a williwaw in Washington with claims that his new rifle is better than the Garand, if Army bureaucrats would only admit it.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Right as a trivet! but—have you ever heard of a williwaw, Peggy?"

From The Merryweathers by Richards, Julia Ward