whiz
nounEtymology
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).
US 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:
- He's a whiz with the computers.
- 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:
1 more example
- 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:
- 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, bro1995, “I Got 5 on It”, in Operation Stackola, performed by Luniz:
- 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 wizz1995, “Sorted For E’s and Wizz”, in Jarvis Cocker (lyrics), Different Class, performed by Pulp:
UK, US, Slang, 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:
- Derived terms
- gee whiz, take a whiz, whiz kid, whizzer