English Explanatory Dictionary

whodunit

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A novel or drama concerning a crime (usually a murder) in which a detective follows clues to determine the perpetrator.

Pronunciation

/ˌhuːˈdʌn.ɪt/ en-au-whodunit.ogg

Word forms

whodunit whodunits whodunnit

Etymology

Coined by critic Donald Gordon in 1930. Alteration and univerbation of who done it? with ellipsis of has.

Related words

howdunit wheredunit whydunit police procedural
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