wiggle-waggle, v. colloq.
(ˈwɪg(ə)lˌwæg(ə)l)
Reduplicated form combining wiggle v. and waggle v. (cf. LG. wigel-wageln vb.), emphasizing the alternation of movement: used intr. or trans. So wiggle-waggle n., (a) the act of ‘wiggle-waggling’; also, a children's game in which the players waggle their thumbs at a word of command; (b) (also wiggle-woggle) = cake-walk n. 2; wiggle-waggle a., that ‘wiggle-waggles’; fig. vacillating.
| 1825 Brockett N.C. Gloss., *Wiggle-waggle, a tremulous undulating motion. 1895 Outing (U.S.) XXVI. 42/2 Brisk holding up of fingers and turning down of thumbs, like the children's game of ‘wiggle-waggle’. |
| 1910 Penny Guide Japan-British Exhib. 25 Fun on the Wiggle Waggle. 1923 R. Macaulay Told by Idiot iii. xxi. 256 The establishment of the White City at Shepherd's Bush, with the Franco-British Exhibition..and flip-flaps, switchbacks, wiggle-woggles, and scenic railways. 1938 ‘G. Orwell’ Homage to Catalonia xii. 254 A dreadful thing called the Wiggle-Woggle at the White City Exhibition. |
| 1778 Johnson in Mme. D'Arblay's Diary Sept., Poll is a stupid slut;..she was *wiggle-waggle, and I could never persuade her to be categorical. 1828 Craven Gloss., Wiggle-waggle, quivering, vibrating. 1887 Good Words 673 Wiggle-waggle dress-improvers. |
| 18.. Scotch Haggis 95 (E.D.D.) *Wiggle-waggling his walking-stick ower his left elbow. 1847 Halliwell, Wiggle-waggle, to wriggle. East. 1848 Punch XV. 14 The parachute..would..have wiggle-waggled itself into annihilation. 1897 Outing (U.S.) XXX. 224/1 It [sc. a fish] is gently removed from the hook, and suffered to go wiggle-waggling back to its green retreats. |