illywhacker

English

Alternative forms

• illywacker

Etymology

Uncertain. Suggested by lexicographer Sidney Baker to derive from illy (variant of eeler, from pig Latin eeler-spee for spieler) + whacker. The verb form whack the illy is a back-formation from the noun.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈɪliwakə/

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

Noun

illywhacker (plural illywhackers)

1. (Australia, colloquial, rare) A small-time confidence trickster or seller of trinkets.
   • 1985, Peter Carey, Illywhacker, Faber and Faber, published 2003, page 228:

     ‘What's an illywhacker?’ said Charles. ‘Spieler,’ explained Leah, who was not used to children.

Usage notes

The term was little used before revived by Peter Carey's 1985 novel Illywhacker, and the original sense is now difficult to ascertain.

Derived terms

• whack the illy