Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
illywhacker. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
illywhacker, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
illywhacker in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
illywhacker you have here. The definition of the word
illywhacker will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
illywhacker, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
Uncertain. Suggested by lexicographer Sidney Baker to derive from illy (variant of eeler, from pig Latin eeler-spee for spieler) + whacker. The verb form whack the illy is a back-formation from the noun.
Pronunciation
Noun
illywhacker (plural illywhackers)
- (Australia, colloquial, rare) A small-time confidence trickster or seller of trinkets.
1985, Peter Carey, Illywhacker, Faber and Faber, published 2003, page 228:‘What's an illywhacker?’ said Charles. ‘Spieler,’ explained Leah, who was not used to children.
Usage notes
The term was little used before revived by Peter Carey's 1985 novel Illywhacker, and the original sense is now difficult to ascertain.[1]
Derived terms
References
- ^ 2001, Susan Butler, The Dinkum Dictionary: The Origins of Australian Words, Text Publishing, →ISBN.