yodle
[yohd-l]
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yodel
or yo·dle
[yohd-l]
- to sing with frequent changes from the ordinary voice to falsetto and back again, in the manner of Swiss and Tyrolean mountaineers.
- to call or shout in a similar fashion.
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- a song, refrain, etc., so sung.
- a call or shout so uttered.
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Origin of yodel
First recorded in 1865–70, yodel is from the German word jodeln
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for yodle
Historical Examples
Maybe it's C'nelius's yodle; he's been listening for it for a solid week.
John March, SouthernerGeorge W. Cable
Her lips parted and from her throat came a long, mellow cry not unlike the yodle of the Tyrol.
When 'Bear Cat' Went DryCharles Neville Buck
The yodle (a rolling toowhee toowhee, etc.) is commonest in a flock from birds remaining in one locality, not traveling.
Life Histories of North American Shore Birds, Part 1 (of 2)Arthur Cleveland Bent
The yodle probably corresponds in significance with that of the greater yellow-legs—location.
Life Histories of North American Shore Birds, Part 1 (of 2)Arthur Cleveland Bent
yodle
- a variant spelling of yodel
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yodel
- 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
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- to sing (a song) in which a yodel is used
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Word Origin
C19: from German jodeln, of imitative origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for yodle
yodel
1827, from German jodeln, from dialectal German jo, an exclamation of joy, of imitative origin.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper