wah-wah

or wa-wa

[ wah-wah ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

producing a muted, bawling sound like that of a trumpet with the hand moved momentarily over the bell:
a wah-wah effect on a synthesizer; a guitar with a wah-wah pedal.

a sound or effect like the muted sound of a trumpet, especially in music.
an electronic device or attachment to produce such a sound, often used with an electric guitar.

wah-wah

/ ˈwɑːˌwɑː /

the sound made by a trumpet, cornet, etc, when the bell is alternately covered and uncovered: much used in jazz
an electronic attachment for an electric guitar, etc, that simulates this effect

Origin of wah-wah¹

First recorded in 1925–30; imitative

Origin of wah-wah¹

C20: of imitative origin

The "wah wah wah" teacher in Charlie Brown is easier to understand.

A troop of long-armed wah-wah monkeys were scolding and whistling within its dense foliage with surprising intensity.

It was the death cry of a wah-wah monkey facing the cruel jaws of a crocodile.

He was the most ordinary kind of gray, jungle monkey, not even a wah-wah or spider face.

"Sun go down, great chief come," said Wah-wah-o-be, and there was no telling what or how much he would bring with him.

Wah-wah-o-be seemed to overlook any possible peril of losing her husband altogether.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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