Meaning
Stop (especially when commanding a horse or imitative thereof); calm down; slow down.
Etymology
Origin: Middle English
Whoa (c. 1843) is a variant of woa (c. 1840), itself a variant of wo (c. 1787), from who (c. 1450), ultimately from Middle English ho, hoo (interjection), probably from Old Norse hó! (interjection, also, a shepherd's call). Compare German ho, Old French ho ! (“hold!, halt!”).
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
giddyupgiddap
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 4 recorded puzzles: