English Explanatory Dictionary

wop

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An person of Italian descent.
verb
  1. Alternative form of whop (“to hit or strike”).
noun
  1. Alternative letter-case form of wop (“derogatory: Italian”).
noun
  1. Acronym of workshop-oriented programming.

Pronunciation

/wɒp/ /wɑp/ En-au-wop.ogg En-us-wop.oga

Word forms

wop wops wopping wopped

Etymology

From Neapolitan guappo (“dude, stud”), a greeting borrowed from Spanish guapo (“bold, handsome”). Contrary to popular belief, the term is not an acronym of without passport or working off passage, which are backronyms derived from the term. First attested in New York City around 1906, eventually also spreading to Canada, Australia, and Britain.

Related words

doo-wop molly wop wop-wops

Derived words

wop top
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