Whigmaleery, -me-, -ie

Posted by R. Berg on July 06, 2003

In Reply to: Whigmaleerie posted by Jennie on July 05, 2003

: Hello and thanks for your help with "the worm turns"

: Now, I wonder if you can help with a word I just encountered as a crossword response to "whim": the word is Whigmaleerie. I've found an extended definition for it, but all my sources say the origin is unknown.

: I figured I might as well take a shot at seeing if anyone knows anything about this odd word.

: Thanks, Jennie

The Oxford English Dictionary also says "Origin obscure" but classifies it as Scottish. The OED's earliest quotation illustrating its use is dated 1730.