This is the full read-only archive of the "Ask the Wordwizard" section of the original Wordwizard site. The responses to the questions originate from Jonathon Green, the compiler of the Cassell Dictionary of Slang and numerous other dictionaries.
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by Archived Topic » Mon Feb 08, 1999 12:00 am
Can you find the origin of the word "owly?" It is used to describe someone who is grumpy or in a bad mood. I think it may have something to do with the owl (bird) but I'm not sure. I'm not even sure if I am spelling it right.
Submitted by Lorie Kropp (Clarion - Latvia)
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Jonathon Green
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by Jonathon Green » Tue Feb 09, 1999 8:00 am
It does indeed stem from the owl, and means resembling an owl, or at least the anthropomorphic version of the bird.
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