How do I spell the word woah as used in surprise or excitement? Is it similar to wow except for the last w?

Some dictionaries define whoa as Stop! while some define it as an expression of surprise/astonishment. Is there such a word as whoa, where did it originate from and what is its actual meaning?

Often, wow is positive and whoa is negative. Wow is a reaction to a big surprise (I am impressed), and whoa means please stop (which maybe due to my surprise.) However, with irony, I can say "Wow, …

Sep 14, 2025 · You'll need to complete a few actions and gain 15 reputation points before being able to upvote. Upvoting indicates when questions and answers are useful. What's reputation and how do I …

The OED lists woah as a variant of woa which is a variant of whoa... I don't remember ever seeing the woah spelling (I'd want to pronounce it as two syllables: wo-ah, like Noah) before moving to England …

Nov 14, 2016 · I'm having a bad day. I have been followed by a velociraptor the entire day. Woah, dude! How many mirrors did you break/ladders did you walk under on your way to work? For black cats, …

Sep 1, 2016 · The word I'm seeking is a word used to describe the feeling you get when confronted with the immensity of nature and how little we are. It's what you get when you stand on the beach, …

Jan 20, 2023 · John's awesomesauce weekend in Vegas ended prematurely. And he prayed with such authority that my prayers felt like weak sauce by comparison. How did the words awesomesauce and …

Jun 3, 2022 · After checking the dictionary, I noticed that the usage of "Kindly" in request sentences often expresses a sence of ironic. So I am afraid that my expression might lead to …

Oct 4, 2013 · This article in Slate states: The phrase has stumped scholars and Lone Ranger fans alike for years, and there appears to be no conclusive evidence as to its true definition or its roots. …