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Original poster

If you were to write this word, which spelling would you use?

60 replies

whatausername · 30/10/2023 11:26

Wacky or whacky?

OP posts:

Littlelucas · 30/10/2023 20:21

Whacky is the older spelling - you'd probably see it used in an Agatha Christie or Enid blyton book or something. Wacky is the modern, Americanised version - that's my understanding.

IaltagDhubh · 30/10/2023 20:58

When I first started reading this thread, my immediate thought was that wacky is correct and whacky looks wrong. But three pages later and neither of them look like words anymore!

Dacadactyl · 30/10/2023 20:59

Wacky

VeniVidiWeeWee · 30/10/2023 21:19

MrsTerryPratchett · 30/10/2023 19:57

I have Cool WHip (Stewie Griffin) stuck in my head now. Thanks!

And it's definitely wacky, as you say.

Show quote history

Do you not have access to the Internet to check before you make a completely wrong assertation?

"whacky
adjective mainly UK informal (US usually wacky)UK /ˈwæk.i/ US /ˈwæk.i/
Add to word list

strange or unusual:
The place is stuffed with whacky memorabilia like a sculpture of the Seven Dwarfs that Walt Disney gave to Debbie Reynolds."

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/whacky

strange

1. unusual and unexpected, or difficult to understand: 2. to feel…

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/strange

TigerDroveAgain · 30/10/2023 21:23

whacky is all wrong. Also makes me think of the TV series "Whacko!"

TigerDroveAgain · 30/10/2023 21:37

meant to post this

VeniVidiWeeWee · 30/10/2023 21:41

@TigerDroveAgain

"whacky is all wrong."

No, it isn't.

Online dictionaries are available.

SurelySmartie · 30/10/2023 21:51

Whack job meaning crazy person is definitely still in use though 😁

Uniquuue · 30/10/2023 21:55

Wacky like the warehouse.

Zimunya · 03/11/2023 11:43

ErrolTheDragon · 30/10/2023 17:12

I'd probably spell it 'wacky', but apparently the etymology is from 'whack': from the notion of being whacked on the head one too many times.

www.etymonline.com/word/wacky

Both spellings are ok so use whichever you prefer.

Interesting link - thank you @ErrolTheDragon

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