“WOWSERS.”

Hokitika Guardian, 2 August 1927, Page 1

“WOWSERS.”

ORIGIN OF THE TERM. SYDNEY, July 22. .Philologists in Sydney have been discussing the origin and precise meaning of the peculiarly Australian word “wowser,” which, -according to one leading authority, has now been adopted in America, and is sure to find a place before long in the dictionaries because of its expressiveness. Wlmt exactly is a wowser is a problem which no one seems to be able to solve. Some say that it sums up the base hypocrite such as the man who holds a Bible in one band, and in. bis other and. behind his back, a “cooked” balance-sheet. Others say that it applies more to the bumptious individual of smug respectability. The word has stuck, whatever its precise meaning. One well-known Anglican clergyman said rather cpigrammatically that it meant, “We only want social evils removed.” The first letter in each of these words, it will he observed, spells “wowser.” The origin of the word is also somewhat obscure. John Norton, one of tlie most conspicuous figures in Australian journalism in his day, is credited by sonic as being the originator of the word, but others assert equally emphatically that in first using it, lie was merely stealing another journalist’s “thunder.” The story goes that among the early settlers in Australia was a body of Puritans called “vo wallers,’’ after the founder of their sect, and that some of them, on getting into hot water, were brought before the Court. “Are they members of a religious sect ?” enquired tlie Magistrate. “Yes, your Worship.” said the police sergeant, “they’re wowsers.” This is one version o'P tlie origin of the word, and it is not improbable that it is the <-orrect one. 'Hie question which determines whether a word shall live or die an early death, is the place that it fills in common usage. The word “wowser” undoubtedly fills a place in the language in Australia, and must inevitably, according to the City Librarian (Air Bertis). find a place on the philological map.