whim etymology

Etymology

The word "whim" is derived from the Middle English word "whimme," which in turn originated from the Old Norse word "hvīma," meaning "impetuous motion" or "gust of wind."

Meaning

  • A sudden, capricious, or unreasonable desire or impulse.
  • An eccentric or unusual fancy.
  • A playful or mischievous act or remark.

Origin

The word "whim" first appeared in the English language in the late 14th century. It was originally used to describe a sudden or violent gust of wind, but over time it came to be applied to any sudden or unpredictable burst of emotion or behavior.

Examples

  • "She had a whim to buy a new car."
  • "His behavior was full of whims and fancies."
  • "She made a playful whim to jump in the pool."

whim relate terms

  • whimsy

    Etymology The word whimsy is derived from the Middle English word whimse which itse

  • whimwham

    Etymology Whimsical Originating from the 16th century term whimsy meaning a whim

  • whimwham

    Etymology Whimsical Originating from the 16th century term whimsy meaning a whim

  • flim flam

    Etymology Flim flam is an American colloquialism that originated in the early 19th ce

  • notion

    Etymology of Notion The word notion originates from the Old French word notion meani

  • caprice

    Etymology The word caprice originates from the Old French word capricie which in tu

  • impulse

    Etymology The word impulse comes from the Latin word impulsus which means a drivin

  • fancy

    Etymology The word fancy originates from the Middle English word fantaseye which in

  • migraine

  • conundrum

    Etymology The word conundrum is derived from the Latin phrase conundrāre meaning t

  • reside

    Etymology The word reside comes from the Latin verb residēre which means to sit do

  • thought

    Etymology The word thought comes from the Old English word thoht which means mind