yodel

[ yohd-l ]

verb (used with or without object)

, yo·deled, yo·del·ing, or (especially British) yo·delled, yo·del·ling.

1. to sing with frequent changes from the ordinary voice to falsetto and back again, in the manner of Swiss and Tyrolean mountaineers.
2. to call or shout in a similar fashion.

noun

1. a song, refrain, etc., so sung.
2. a call or shout so uttered.

yodel

/ ˈjəʊdəl /

noun

1. an effect produced in singing by an abrupt change of register from the chest voice to falsetto, esp in popular folk songs of the Swiss Alps

verb

1. to sing (a song) in which a yodel is used

Derived Forms

• ˈyodeller, noun

Other Words From

• yodel·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of yodel¹

First recorded in 1835–40, from southern German dialect jodeln, from jo, an exclamation

Word History and Origins

Origin of yodel¹

C19: from German jodeln, of imitative origin

Example Sentences

Because we all grow up singing, and we learn tricks that we like that this singer did or that singer did — you know, a yodel here, a break there.

From Washington Post

In a minute he'll yodel like the singing cowboys in the movies he loved so much as a kid.

From The Daily Beast

I emailed yodel to explain an got a automated reply saying my parcel has been delivered and signed for?

From The Daily Beast

From far above came the notes of a merry song; occasionally there was heard a long, echoing yodel, then more singing.

From Project Gutenberg

Jimmie gave another yodel, louder and longer than the first.

From Project Gutenberg

Away in the distance coyotes lifted their yodel, half jocular, half mournful, as a maudlin drunkard sings dolefully a merry tune.

From Project Gutenberg

Then I discovered that there is a trill, a tiny grace note or yodel, at the end of his second note.

From Project Gutenberg

Jane Abbott turned and looked down, amazed that the mountain girl should have the effrontery to yodel to her.

From Project Gutenberg