what ho, int. and a.
(hwɒtˈhəʊ)
A. int. An exclamation used to call the attention of a person, or as an expression of excitement or exultation. Cf. what B. I. 3. Now arch. or affected.
| c 1386 Chaucer Miller's T. 251 What how, what do ye maister Nicholay? 1579 Spenser Sheph. Cal. July 5 What ho, thou iollye shepheards swayne, Come vp the hyll to me. c 1590 Marlowe Faustus iii. iv. (1616), What ho, Officers, Gentlemen, Hye to the presence to attend the Emperour. 1610 Shakes. Temp. i. ii. 313 What hoa: slaue: Caliban. 1810 Scott Lady of L. ii. xxxv, ‘Malise, what ho!’—his henchman came. 1864 Ballantyne Lifeboat x, ‘What ho! Coleman,’ cried Bax,..‘have you actually acquired the art of sleeping on a donkey?’ 1899 H. Wyndham Soldiers of Queen vi. 137 ‘What ho! Did you get your bloomin' ticket this time?’ demands a brother ‘Lancer’. |
B. (hyphened) as adj. Superior, smart, stylish; designating the type of person supposed to use the exclamation, esp. the heartier kind of officer and gentleman.
| 1937 in Amer. Speech (1938) XIII. 239/1 At the time of their installation the elevators at the Ritz Carlton were considered the What-ho-iest in town. 1973 Times Lit. Suppl. 21 Sept. 1074/3 Those who survive to be relieved by what-ho young soldiers in scarlet tunics and white bandoliers. 1977 Time 22 Aug. 37/1 The Legionnaires are a carefully assorted lot,..a soulful French musician, a what-ho English blueblood, a hulking Russian who once guarded the Czar's family, and so on. |