zowieinterjection
Factsheet
What does the interjection zowie mean?
There is one meaning in OED's entry for the interjection zowie. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.
This word is used in U.S. English.
Entry status
OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.
How common is the interjection zowie?
| 1910 | 0.0048 |
| 1920 | 0.0046 |
| 1930 | 0.0044 |
| 1940 | 0.0043 |
| 1950 | 0.0047 |
| 1960 | 0.0049 |
| 1970 | 0.0042 |
| 1980 | 0.0035 |
| 1990 | 0.0035 |
| 2000 | 0.0035 |
| 2010 | 0.0034 |
How is the interjection zowie pronounced?
British English
Where does the interjection zowie come from?
Earliest known use
1900s
The earliest known use of the interjection zowie is in the 1900s.
OED's earliest evidence for zowie is from 1902, in Oakland (California) Enquirer.
zowie is an imitative or expressive formation.
Nearby entries
- zorro, n.1838–
- zos-grass, n.1937–
- zoster, n.1601–
- zostera, n.1819–
- zosterops, n.1867–
- Zouave, n.1848–
- zouk, n.1986–
- zounds, v.1680
- zounds, int.a1593–
- Zou-Zou, n.1860–
- zowie, int.1902–
- zoysia, n.1965–
- ZPG, n.1970–
- Zr, n.1814–
- zubr, n.1763–
- zubrowka, n.1916–
- zucarine, adj.a1425
- zucca, n.1818–
- zucchetto, n.1853–
- zucchini, n.1916–
- zuche, n.1358–1676
Etymology
Summary
Meaning & use
- 1902–An exclamation of astonishment (generally, or as a reaction to a sudden or surprising act), and frequently of admiration.
- 1902
Kyte was ordered to the front and impressed with the fact that somebody must be arrested. Zowie.
Oakland (California) Enquirer 22 July 5/2 - 1922
You're a natural-born orator and a good mixer and—Zowie!
S. Lewis, Babbitt xiii. 169 - 1931
That class of comic-strip words like zowie and pow.
Technol. Review November 66/1 - 1958
Visitors..they slap me where it's sore yet and zowie they're off!
E. Birney, Turvey iv. 32 - 1962
Think of the United States as a 3,000-mile-broad comic strip where significant occasions go bam, pop and zowie.
Spectator 25 May 674/2 - 1972
He gets out and zowie a gang of thugs come jumping out of the bushes, and next thing you know they're off with your jewel case.
P. G. Wodehouse, Pearls, Girls, & Monty Bodkin xi. 171 - 1978
She was totally unconscious... Gently, he put her head on the floor. ‘Zowie.’
G. McDonald, Fletch's Fortune (1979) ix. 60
the mind operation of the mind expectation surprise, unexpectedness [interjections] exclamation of surprise- howOld English–1850As an exclamation of surprise or astonishment; = what, int. C.2a. Obsolete (archaic in later use).
- well, wellOld English–Reduplicated. Expressing surprise, anticipation, resignation, or acquiescence. well, well. Also well, well, well.
- whatOld English–As an exclamation of surprise or astonishment (sometimes mixed with indignation). Usually followed by a question.
- whyOld English–As an expression of surprise (sometimes only momentary or slight; sometimes involving protest), either in reply to a remark or question, or on…
- avoyc1300–1400Exclamation of surprise, fear, remonstrance.
- ouc1300–Expressing surprise, excitement, or a similar emotion; = oh, int. ou aye: ‘yes indeed’, ‘oh yes’ (in concessive sense).
- ay1340–Expressing earnestness, surprise, wonder, etc. Now chiefly English regional (northern) and Scottish.
- lorda1393–Expressing surprise, emphasis, dismay, etc. Cf. law, int., Lawd, int., Lor, int., lud, int.
- ahaa1400–Expressing triumph, satisfaction, realization, discovery, or (now rarely) mockery or irony. Cf. ah, int. A.3, A.4, ha, int. A.1b.
- hilla haila1400–1513Probably: = ill hail at hail, n.² A.2 (as an exclamation).
- whannowc1450–1500What! I say! Come, come!
- wow1513–Chiefly Scottish. An exclamation, variously expressing aversion, surprise or admiration, sorrow or commiseration, or mere asseveration.
- heydaya1529–An exclamation denoting frolicsomeness, gaiety, surprise, wonder, etc.
- ah1538–Expressing pleasure, surprise, wonder, or admiration.
- ah me!a1547–In various exclamatory uses, without definite syntactical relation to the context. In interjectional phrases, as ah me! (see ah, int. A.2a, A.4), dea…
- ay mea1547–Used to express grief, pity, regret, etc. Cf. alas, int. A.1.
- fore me!a1547–In various exclamatory uses, without definite syntactical relation to the context. In interjectional phrases, as ah me! (see ah, int. A.2a, A.4), dea…
- o me!a1547–In various exclamatory uses, without definite syntactical relation to the context. In interjectional phrases, as ah me! (see ah, int. A.2a, A.4), dea…
- Gods me1570–With contraction of save (cf. save, v. phrases P.2c), as †Gods me, †Gods my bones, Gods my life, etc. Cf. God sa' me at sa', v. Now archaic.
- what the (also a) goodyear1570–1822In exclamations and imprecations, apparently as a euphemism for devil. In various exclamations expressing surprise, annoyance, impatience, or…
- precious coals1576–Used as an exclamation or oath (cf. precious, adj. A.1b).
- Expressing surprise, dismay, etc. Also in Lord-a-mercy and other contracted forms (cf. God-a-mercy, int. A.1a).
- good heavens1588–Chiefly in plural. In exclamations expressing surprise, horror, excitement, etc. Frequently with intensifying adjective, as good heavens, gracious he…
- whau1589–Well! Why! Also = wah, int.¹ & n.¹
- coads1590–1619An obsolete exclamation of surprise.
- my stars!a1593–my stars! and variants. Now archaic.
- law1598–Expressing surprise, emphasis, dismay, etc.; (in early use) expressing emphatic confirmation of a statement. Sometimes with I, me, you, etc. (cf. l…
- Godso1600–1777Used as an exclamation or oath expressing surprise or affirmation.
- to go out1600intransitive. imperative. In form gout. Expressing dismissal, impatience, derision, incredulity, or surprise. Cf. to go on 3b at phrasal verbs I.3b…
- coads-nigs1608
- for mercy!a1616for mercy! Obsolete. rare.
- good stars!1615–1851good stars! and variants. Cf. good heavens at heaven, n. phrases P.3b. Obsolete.
- mercy on us (also me, etc.)!
- gramercy1617–? Used as an exclamation of surprise or sudden feeling; = ‘mercy on us!’
- goodness1623–In exclamations expressing entreaty or remonstrance, as †for goodness, for goodness' sake, in the name of goodness, etc. Cf. pity, n. I.2c.
- what next?1662–colloquial. what next?: ‘what is next?’ ‘what can be next?’ Also whatever next?
- mon Dieu1665–‘My God!’ Cf. god, n. & int.phrases P.1e.
- heugh1668–An exclamation of surprise; hollo! (Cf. hewgh, int., whew, int.)
- criminy1681–Expressing surprise. Also by criminy! Cf. crikey, int.; Gemini, n. 4.
- Lawd1696–Expressing surprise, emphasis, dismay, etc.; = lord, int.
- the dickens1697–(oh) the dickens!: used as an interjection expressing surprise, irritation, exasperation, etc. Now archaic and rare.
- (God, etc.) bless my heart (see bless, v.¹ A.IV.9): used as an exclamation to express surprise, alarm, etc.
- alackaday1705alack the day: used to express grief, concern, or regret at the events of a particular day; (later more generally) used to express surprise or dismay…
- (for) mercy's sake!1707–(for) mercy's sake!. Also in variants (chiefly U.S. regional), as mercy sakes, a mercy's name, etc.
- my1707–Expressing surprise or admiration. Also oh, my!
- deuce1710–As an expression of incredulous surprise; also, as an emphatic negative, as in (the) deuce a bit!, etc. (Cf. plague, n., sorrow, n., the devil a bit…
- gracious1712–In various exclamatory phrases expressing surprise, dismay, remonstration, or entreaty, often as a euphemism for God (cf. god, n. & int.phrases…
- goodly and gracious1713–44goodly and gracious: used as an exclamatory phrase expressing pleasant surprise. Cf. goodness gracious at goodness, n. phrases P.1b, gracious, adj.…
- my word1722–my word (esp. as an exclamation) = upon my word at phrases P.1g.ii.ii.
- my stars and garters! and variants. Cf. sense II.10b and garter, n. 2.
- lawksa1774–= Lord! Also lawk-a-daisy (me) and as noun = lackadaisy, int. lawk-a-mercy (-mussy) = Lord have mercy!; also as v. = to cry ‘Lawk-a-mercy!’, and as…
- losha1779–= lord, n. & int., used in certain exclamations.
- Lord bless me (also you, us, etc.): expressing surprise, reproach, etc.
- great guns!1795–great guns!: used as an exclamation expressing surprise or disbelief.
- mein Gott1795–Frequently in representations of German speech: = my God at god, n. & int.phrases P.1e.i.
- Dear me!1805–Dear!, Oh dear!, Dear, dear!, Dear me!: exclamations expressing surprise, astonishment, anxiety, distress, regret, sympathy, or other emotion. dear…
- fancy1813–transitive. In colloquial use often in the imperative as an exclamation of surprise. Also absol.
- well, I'm sure!1815–well, I'm sure!: used as an exclamation of surprise. Now rare.
- massy1817–In various exclamations (chiefly as int.): ‘mercy!’ (expressing surprise, disapproval, etc.). See mercy, int.
- Dear, dear!1818–Dear!, Oh dear!, Dear, dear!, Dear me!: exclamations expressing surprise, astonishment, anxiety, distress, regret, sympathy, or other emotion. dear…
- to get off1818–intransitive. In imperative. colloquial. Used as an exclamation expressing impatience or incredulity; = to get away 1b(b) at phrasal verbs 1b.ii.
- laws1824–Expressing surprise, emphasis, dismay, etc.; = lord, int.
- Mamma mia1824–Expressing surprise, astonishment, or approval. Also as n.
- by crikey1826–Expressing surprise. Also by crikey. Cf. gosh, n.
- wisha1826–An exclamation indicating dismay, emphasis, or surprise.
- alleleu1829–Originally and chiefly Irish English. Expressing distress, horror, surprise, etc. Cf. pillaloo, int.
- crackey1830–= crikey, int.
- Madonna mia1830–An exclamation of surprise or strong emotion.
- indeed1834–As an interjection, expressing (according to the intonation) irony, contempt, amazement, incredulity, or the like.
- to go on1835–intransitive. imperative. Expressing (playful) impatience or dismissiveness, or (mock) disbelief, derision, etc.: ‘get away’. Also in go on with you…
- snakes1839–In plural as an exclamation, esp. great snakes!
- Jerusalem1840–Used as an exclamation, usually of surprise.
- sapristi1840–An exclamation of astonishment, exasperation, etc.; a mild oath.
- oh my days1841–colloquial (now chiefly British). oh my days: used as an exclamation expressing surprise, disbelief, excitement, etc. Also (and earliest) my days.
- tear and ages1841–An act of tearing, in senses II.8 and II.9 of the verb. Here may belong the Irish interjectional phr. tear and ages (? aches), tear and wounds…
- U.S. regional (chiefly New England). Used to intensify an interrogative word or phrase, as what (why, etc.) in time?: what (etc.) in the world?…
- sakes alive!1846–sakes alive! and simply sakes!: an exclamation expressing surprise. dialect and U.S.
- gee willikers1847–Expressing any of a number of feelings or emotions, esp. surprise, enthusiasm, or exasperation. Also used for emphasis. Cf. gee, int.² Now dated…
- to get away1847–In imperative. Also in get away with you (now rare). colloquial (chiefly British). As an expression of astonishment or incredulity: ‘go on’, you…
- well, to be sure!1847–As a sentence adverbial: (in affirmative use) for a certainty; certainly, undoubtedly, of course; (in concessive use) it must be admitted, indeed…
- gee1851–Expressing any of a number of feelings or emotions, esp. surprise, enthusiasm, or exasperation. Also used for emphasis. Also (esp. in earlier use)…
- Great Scott1852–Expressing surprise, amazement, annoyance, admiration, etc.
- holy mackerel!1855–Used trivially. Used with a following word as an oath or expletive, as holy cow! int., holy Moses! int., holy smoke! int., holy mackerel! int., holy…
- doggone1857–As an expression of surprise, impatience, etc.: ‘damn!’, ‘damn it’.
- lawsy1868–Expressing surprise, emphasis, dismay, etc.; = lord, int.
- my wig(s)!1871–Phrases. dash my wig(s) (colloquial), a mild imprecation (see dash, v.¹ I.11). my wig(s)! (colloquial) a meaningless expression of surprise, etc. w…
- gee whiz1872–Expressing any of a number of feelings or emotions, esp. surprise, enthusiasm, or excitement. Also used for emphasis. Cf. gee, int.² Now somewhat…
- crimes1874–= criminy, int. Cf. cripes, int.
- yoicks1881–colloquial. An exclamation expressing surprise, astonishment, or fright; = yikes, int.
- Christmas1882–Used as a mild expletive, expressing surprise, dismay, exasperation, etc. Cf. Christ, int.
- hully gee1895–An exclamation of delight or surprise.
- 'ullo1895–= hullo, int.
- my hat!1899–my hat!: used as an exclamation expressing surprise or disbelief.
- Chiefly colloquial. to come to grief: to meet with disaster; (Sport) to have a fall; to fail, prove abortive; so to bring to grief. Also good (als…
- strike me pink!1902–Colloquially used in jocular forms of imprecation, as strike me blind, dumb, lucky (if, but—), and various nonce-phrases. strike me pink! (slang): an…
- zowie1902–An exclamation of astonishment (generally, or as a reaction to a sudden or surprising act), and frequently of admiration.
- hot diggety1906–= hot diggety dog, int.
- oo-er1909–An expression of surprise, dismay, titillation, etc.
- what do you know?1909–colloquial (originally U.S.). what do you know?: used to express surprise (also what do you know about that?); also used parenthetically (cf. do you…
- cripes1910–In the exclamation (by) cripes!: = Christ, n. & int.phrases P.1d.
- how about that?1910–colloquial. how about ——?: used in asking for information or an opinion on something; (frequently also) used as a way of proposing or suggesting…
- coo1911–An exclamation expressing surprise or incredulity. slang.
- can you tie that?1918–North American. To match or equal (an existing record or score); colloquial phrases can you tie that?, tie that!, expressions of surprise or…
- yeow1924–An exclamation of shock or pain.
- ziggety1924–int. Usually preceded by hot and followed by dog or another monosyllable: = hot diggety, int.
- Colloquial phrase stone (or stiffen) the crows: an exclamation of surprise or disgust. Esp. Australian.
- hullo1931–A call used to hail a person or to excite his or her attention. Also used in response to a telephone call and (frequently repeated) to express…
- tiens1932–An expression of surprise.
- whammo1932–= wham, n.² 2; an exclamation suggesting a sudden violent blow or surprising event, etc.
- po po po1936–Expressing surprise, commiseration, indignation, etc.
- yikes1940–An exclamation of astonishment, alarm, etc.
- hallo1942–A shout or exclamation to call attention, or expressing some degree of surprise (e.g. on meeting someone unexpectedly). Cf. halloo, v. Frequently…
- brother1945–Expressing surprise, excitement, appreciation, disbelief, etc., or used to give emphasis to a following statement. Frequently in oh brother!
- tie that!1948–North American. To match or equal (an existing record or score); colloquial phrases can you tie that?, tie that!, expressions of surprise or…
- alamak1952–Expressing surprise, shock, dismay, or outrage.
- surprise1953–The feeling or emotion excited by something unexpected, or for which one is unprepared. As int.: surprise, surprise: an exclamation indicating…
- wowee1963–
- orale1973–Used to express surprise, awe, etc.: ‘wow!’, ‘gosh!’.
- never1974–Expressing disbelief of or surprise at what has just been said. Also used ironically.
- to sod off1976–intransitive. In imperative. As an expression of disbelief or scornful rejection of an assertion. Cf. to get away 1b(b) at get, v. phrasal verbs…
- whee1978–An exclamation of joy, exhilaration, astonishment, etc. Occasionally as n., a high-pitched sound resembling this.
- mercy1986–‘Have mercy!’, ‘May God have mercy!’ (sometimes with qualification, as God's mercy!, etc., and in weakened use expressing surprise, fear, etc.).
- yipes1989–An exclamation of fear, alarm, or dismay (also occasionally of excitement or surprise).
the mind operation of the mind expectation feeling of wonder, astonishment [interjections] exclamation of wonder- ahaa1400–Expressing triumph, satisfaction, realization, discovery, or (now rarely) mockery or irony. Cf. ah, int. A.3, A.4, ha, int. A.1b.
- ocha1522–Originally: expressing sorrow or regret. Later: expressing annoyed dismissal or disregard, exasperation, etc. och how!: ‘alas!’.
- heydaya1529–An exclamation denoting frolicsomeness, gaiety, surprise, wonder, etc.
- ah1538–Expressing pleasure, surprise, wonder, or admiration.
- ah me!a1547–In various exclamatory uses, without definite syntactical relation to the context. In interjectional phrases, as ah me! (see ah, int. A.2a, A.4), dea…
- ay mea1547–Used to express grief, pity, regret, etc. Cf. alas, int. A.1.
- fore me!a1547–In various exclamatory uses, without definite syntactical relation to the context. In interjectional phrases, as ah me! (see ah, int. A.2a, A.4), dea…
- o me!a1547–In various exclamatory uses, without definite syntactical relation to the context. In interjectional phrases, as ah me! (see ah, int. A.2a, A.4), dea…
- gossea1556–Mincing pronunciation of god, n. & int.: cf. gosh, n.
- o (also oh) rare!1596–As int. o (also oh) rare!: expressing astonishment, admiration, etc. Now archaic or poetic.
- law1598–Expressing surprise, emphasis, dismay, etc.; (in early use) expressing emphatic confirmation of a statement. Sometimes with I, me, you, etc. (cf. l…
- strangec1670–Quasi-int. ‘An expression of wonder’ (Johnson); ‘an elliptical expression for it is strange (W. 1828).
- lack-a-day1695–= alack, int.
- stap my vitals1697–transitive. = stop, v., in the phrase stap my vitals, used as an exclamation of surprise, anger, etc., or as an asseveration.
- alackaday1705alack the day: used to express grief, concern, or regret at the events of a particular day; (later more generally) used to express surprise or dismay…
- prodigious1707–1886As int. Expressing astonishment or dismay. Obsolete.
- my word1722–my word (esp. as an exclamation) = upon my word at phrases P.1g.ii.ii.
- gosh1757–An oath or exclamation, (by) gosh!, my gosh!
- Dear me!1805–Dear!, Oh dear!, Dear, dear!, Dear me!: exclamations expressing surprise, astonishment, anxiety, distress, regret, sympathy, or other emotion. dear…
- Madre de Dios1815–In representation or imitation of the speech of Spanish and Italian speakers: mother.
- Great Jove!1819–With a personal name or unique designation: usually combining other senses, as pre-eminent, admirable… In exclamations, expressing surprise…
- I snum1825–Esp. in I snum as exclamation. Also as n. in by snum! (obsolete). Cf. vum, v., vum, n.
- crikey1826–Expressing surprise. Also by crikey. Cf. gosh, n.
- my eye1826–my eye (also rarely †my eyes): an expression of surprise, disbelief, or denial; (occasionally as n.) nonsense. In recent use also (dismissively) with…
- crackey1830–= crikey, int.
- golly gosh1835–Used to express surprise, awe, or excitement, or simply for emphasis.
- snakes1839–In plural as an exclamation, esp. great snakes!
- Great Scott1852–Expressing surprise, amazement, annoyance, admiration, etc.
- holy mackerel!1855–Used trivially. Used with a following word as an oath or expletive, as holy cow! int., holy Moses! int., holy smoke! int., holy mackerel! int., holy…
- whoops1870–colloquial (often humorous). Used to express mild surprise, dismay, regret, etc., typically in response to a minor accident or mistake.
- this beats my grandmother: said of something that excites astonishment. Obsolete.
- wow1892–In general use. Now chiefly expressing astonishment or admiration.
- great balls of fire1893–colloquial (originally and chiefly U.S.) great balls of fire: used as an exclamation to express amazement or delighted surprise.
- zowie1902–An exclamation of astonishment (generally, or as a reaction to a sudden or surprising act), and frequently of admiration.
- oo-er1909–An expression of surprise, dismay, titillation, etc.
- wowey1921= wow, int. 2.
- crimes1929–= criminy, int. Cf. cripes, int.
- yikes1940–An exclamation of astonishment, alarm, etc.
- yowa1943–In modern Australian and New Zealand use = wow, int. 2.
- wowee1963–
- Madre mia!1964–In representation or imitation of the speech of Spanish and Italian speakers: mother.
- whee1978–An exclamation of joy, exhilaration, astonishment, etc. Occasionally as n., a high-pitched sound resembling this.
- chingas1984–Used to express surprise, awe, etc.: ‘wow!’, ‘gosh!’
Pronunciation
British English
Consonants
- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- ɬrhingyll
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing
Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence
Vowels
- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, bath
- ɑːstart, palm, bath
- ɒlot
- ɔːthought, force
- ʌstrut
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- əletter
- əːnurse
- ɪənear
- ɛːsquare
- ʊəcure
- eɪface
- ʌɪpride
- aʊmouth
- əʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ãgratin
- ɒ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)
Other symbols
- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.
View the pronunciation model here.
Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.
Consonants
b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values
- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige
Vowels
- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot
Frequency
zowie typically occurs fewer than 0.01 times per million words in modern written English.
zowie is in frequency band 2, which contains words occurring between 0.001 and 0.01 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands
Frequency of zowie, int., 1910–2010
* Occurrences per million words in written English
Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.
The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.
For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.
Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the Google Books corpus.
| Decade | Frequency per million words |
|---|---|
| 1910 | 0.0048 |
| 1920 | 0.0046 |
| 1930 | 0.0044 |
| 1940 | 0.0043 |
| 1950 | 0.0047 |
| 1960 | 0.0049 |
| 1970 | 0.0042 |
| 1980 | 0.0035 |
| 1990 | 0.0035 |
| 2000 | 0.0035 |
| 2010 | 0.0034 |