wowser

noun

wow·ser ˈwau̇-zər

Synonyms of wowser next

chiefly Australia

: an obtrusively puritanical person

Did you know?

Wowser is a delightful word with an interesting background, though its ultimate origin is unknown. The word first appeared in print in 1899, in the Australian journal Truth, and was instantly popular in Australia. It spread to New Zealand, where it remains in use, and then eventually arrived in England, possibly brought by the Australian troops who served there during World War I. The American writer and editor H. L. Mencken liked "wowser" and attempted to introduce it in the United States. He used the word frequently in American Mercury, the literary magazine he edited. Despite Mencken's efforts the term never truly caught on in American English, though it is used occasionally.

Examples of wowser in a Sentence

wowsers would be well-advised to avoid that steamy new show on TV

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Now, a wowser is commonly someone who looks to crack down on enjoyment. —