English

Alternative forms

• whimwham

Noun

whim-wham ‎(plural whim-whams)

1. (obsolete) A whimsical object; a trinket.
   • 1640, John Fletcher, James Shirley, The Night Walker, or The Little Thief, 1750, The works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, Volume 2, page 101,

     They′ll pull ye all to pieces for your Whim-whams,

     Your Garters and your Gloves,

2. A whim or fancy.
   • 1807 April 18, “Anthony Evergreen” (Washington Irving), Salmagundi, or The Whim-whams and Opinions of Launcelot Langstaff, Esq. & Others, No. VIII, 1834, The Complete Works of Washington Irving in One Volume, page 35,

     And trust me, gentlefolk, his are the whim-whams of a courteous gentleman full of most excellent qualities ; honourable in his disposition, independent in his sentiments, and of unbounded good-nature, as may be seen through all his works.

Derived terms

• whim-wham for a goose’s bridle