wedgie
Meaning
A prank in which a person's underwear is pulled sharply upward from behind, becoming wedged between the buttocks.
A wedge-heeled shoe.
Structure
Usage
The bully gave the new kid a painful wedgie in the locker room.
She bought a comfortable pair of platform wedgies for the summer.
Getting a wedgie is a classic trope in teenage comedy films.
Etymology
The word "wedgie" is a modern, informal American English formation from the mid-20th century. It is a straightforward compound noun built directly from the existing English word "wedge," which descends from the Old English wecg, a term for a solid, V-shaped object. The addition of the diminutive "-ie" suffix transforms the concrete concept of a wedge into a slang term for a specific, juvenile prank, humorously likening the resultant underwear configuration to the shape of a wedge being forced into a crevice. Its secondary meaning for a wedge-heeled shoe follows the same logical pattern, applying the suffix to a fashion item characterized by its wedge shape.
Analysis
- wedg: From the English word "wedge," of Old English origin (wecg), meaning a piece of material thick at one end and tapering to a thin edge. In this compound, it conveys the core action and shape of the prank. - ie: A common English suffix used to form informal or diminutive nouns (e.g., doggie, movie). It indicates the word refers to a specific, often trivial or humorous, instance or item.