wahoo
wahoo Lexical Profile
wahoo Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A large, fast-swimming game fish (Acanthocybium solandri) found worldwide in tropical and subtropical seas, highly valued for its speed and high-quality meat.
"The anglers chartered a boat in the Florida Keys hoping to catch a record-breaking wahoo."
North American A deciduous shrub or small tree native to North America (Euonymus atropurpureus), noted for its brilliant red autumn foliage and historically used in traditional medicine.
"We planted an eastern wahoo in the garden to enjoy its vibrant crimson leaves in the fall."
Word Origin & Etymology
The word has multiple distinct origins. The plant name derives from the Dakota Native American word 'waŋhú', meaning 'arrow wood'. The fish name is likely derived from 'Oahu', the Hawaiian island where the fish is abundant. As an interjection, it is an imitative exclamation of exuberant joy.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.