Dictionary

whiz en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• /wɪz/
• (Australia) audio

Etymology

Onomatopoeic. Compare huzz, hizz, hiss. In some noun senses perhaps derived from wizard. In the sense “remarkably skilled person”, it may also simply a misspelling of its shortened form wiz, or it may be a shortening of whiz kid, which may have a different origin, perhaps whiz(z) in the sense of “something very remarkable”, attested from 1908, or the interjection (as in whizz-bang or gee whiz). In fact, whiz(z) in the sense of “something very remarkable” may be derived from whizz-bang in the sense of “conspicuously talented”, and in military slang whizz-bang (or whizbang) can mean “an exceptionally skilful person” (attested in 1916 and later), which whiz in the same sense seems to be a shortening of (whence presumably also whiz kid).

Meanings

1. (US, countable, uncountable) A whirring or hissing sound (as above).
   • Immediately there was a ringing and a singing in the hills, and then a whispering and a lisping and a whiz and a buzz all about him, for the little people were now some whirling round and round in the dance, and others sporting and tumbling about in the moonshine, and playing a thousand merry pranks and tricks. 1828, Thomas Keightley, The Fairy Mythology, volume I, London: William Harrison Ainsworth, page 289:
2. (US, countable, informal, uncountable) Someone who is remarkably skilled at something.
   • He's a whiz with the computers.
   • It didn't take long for New York Magazine's story on a 17-year-old stock whiz with a rumored net worth of $72 million to make a splash. But the story's juicy premise unraveled almost as quickly. 2014 December 15, Tom Kludt, “Story of the $72 million teen trader unravels”, in CNN, archived from the original on 04 Nov 2024:
   • The chefs are veritable whizzes at arranging food on your plate to look like happy frog faces and growly clown faces. 1987, Kerry Cue, Hang On To Your Horses Doovers, page 77:
3. (US, countable, especially, slang, uncountable, vulgar, with the verb "take") An act of urination.
   • I have to take a whiz.
   • I gotta take a whiz test to my PO / I know I failed 'cause I done smoked major weed, bro 1995, “I Got 5 on It”, in Operation Stackola, performed by Luniz:
4. (UK, US, slang, uncountable) Amphetamine.
   • And I don't quite understand just what this feeling is / But that's okay cause we're all sorted out for E's and wizz 1995, “Sorted For E’s and Wizz”, in Jarvis Cocker (lyrics), Different Class, performed by Pulp:
5. (UK, US, countable, slang, uncountable, with-definite-article) Pickpocketing.
   • This type of pickpocket, it should be noted, is passing from the scene; most class cannons now operating are old-timers. “The only youngsters I see breaking in on the whiz are jigs, and they are coining a bebop lingo that is something. […] 2003, David W. Maurer, Whiz Mob, page 40:

Forms

Deriveds

whiz kid · take a whiz · gee whiz · whizzer

Synonyms

easement · whiz · veteran · piss · old soldier · proficient · dab hand · pee · old hand · wee-wee · whizz · adept · wazz · top gun · crackerjack · wizard · micturition · leak · don hand · dab · whiz · buff · emiction · miction · making water · Jedi Master · crack hand · wee · past master · call of nature · old stager · wiz · ace · urination · expert · maven · wizz · wiz · dabster · master · pissing · uresis · artist · tinkle · number one

Translations (17)

ckb گڤە (whirring or hissing sound) · fi taituri (someone remarkably skilled at something) · hu süvítés (whirring or hissing sound) · grc ῥοῖζος (whirring or hissing sound) · es crack (someone remarkably skilled at something) · fi suhahdus (whirring or hissing sound) · fi taitaja (someone remarkably skilled at something) · fr génie (someone remarkably skilled at something) · fi sihahdus (whirring or hissing sound) · de Wunder- (someone remarkably skilled at something) · fi sihinä (whirring or hissing sound) · es genio (someone remarkably skilled at something) · fi sähinä (whirring or hissing sound) · bg фучене (whirring or hissing sound) · bg свистене (whirring or hissing sound) · fi sähähdys (whirring or hissing sound) · fi taitoniekka (someone remarkably skilled at something)

whiz en · VERB · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• /wɪz/
• (Australia) audio

Etymology

Onomatopoeic. Compare huzz, hizz, hiss. In some noun senses perhaps derived from wizard. In the sense “remarkably skilled person”, it may also simply a misspelling of its shortened form wiz, or it may be a shortening of whiz kid, which may have a different origin, perhaps whiz(z) in the sense of “something very remarkable”, attested from 1908, or the interjection (as in whizz-bang or gee whiz). In fact, whiz(z) in the sense of “something very remarkable” may be derived from whizz-bang in the sense of “conspicuously talented”, and in military slang whizz-bang (or whizbang) can mean “an exceptionally skilful person” (attested in 1916 and later), which whiz in the same sense seems to be a shortening of (whence presumably also whiz kid).

Meanings

1. (US) To make a whirring or hissing sound, similar to that of an object speeding through the air.
2. (US) To rush or move swiftly with such a sound.
3. (US) To throw or spin rapidly.
   • I whizzed the ball past the catcher.
4. (US, slang, vulgar) To urinate.
   • The first thing Howard did following Vi's departure was to haul the step-stool over to the kitchen sink and whiz into the drain again. 1990, Stephen King, The Moving Finger:
   • We whizzed in the bushes.

Forms

Deriveds

whizzle · whizzing stick

Synonyms

wee · pass water · take a whiz · piss · take a piss · whiz · widdle · wee wee · slash · urinate · hit the head · tinkle · micturate · pee · void · take a leak · piddle · break the seal

Translations (21)

bg профучавам (to rush or move swiftly with such sound) · hu süvít (to make a whirring or hissing sound) · fi sujauttaa (to throw or spin rapidly) · fi suhista (to make a whirring or hissing sound) · es soplar con un fuerte rugido (to rush or move swiftly with such sound) · de düsen (to rush or move swiftly with such sound) · de schwirren (to rush or move swiftly with such sound) · fi sihistä (to make a whirring or hissing sound) · de zischen (to rush or move swiftly with such sound) · fi sähistä (to make a whirring or hissing sound) · bg свистя (to make a whirring or hissing sound) · pt soprar com forte rugido (to rush or move swiftly with such sound) · fi humista (to rush or move swiftly with such sound) · de zischen (to make a whirring or hissing sound) · bg фуча (to make a whirring or hissing sound) · hu süvít (to rush or move swiftly with such sound) · ur جھومنا،ہلنا، (to rush or move swiftly with such sound) · de rauschen (to rush or move swiftly with such sound) · hu száguld (to rush or move swiftly with such sound) · fi suhahtaa (to rush or move swiftly with such sound) · cmn 呼啸 (to rush or move swiftly with such sound)

whiz en · ADP · etymology 2

Pronunciation

• /wɪz/
• (Australia) audio

Etymology

See with.

Meanings

1. (US, alt-of, pronunciation-spelling, slang) Pronunciation spelling of with.
   alt of with

Relateds

whiz deletion