howler

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From howl +‎ -er. Some senses are derivatives of the intensifier "howling",^[1] as in "howling wilderness", (Deuteronomy 32:10)^[2]

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈhaʊlɚ/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈhaʊlə/

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -aʊlə(ɹ)
• Hyphenation: howl‧er

howler (plural howlers)

1. That which howls, especially an animal such as a wolf or a howler monkey.
2. (historical) A person hired to howl in mourning at a funeral.
3. (slang) A painfully obvious mistake.
   • 1993, Paul Krugman, How I Work, October 1 1993, in: Paul Krugman, Arguing with Zombies, 2020, p. 402:

     Given what we know about cognitive psychology, utility maximization is a ludicrous concept; equilibrium pretty foolish outside of financial markets; perfect competition a howler for most industries.

   • 1997 [1935], William A. Lyell, “A Note on the Translation”, in Zhang Henshui, translated by William A. Lyell, Shanghai Express: A Thirties Novel (Fiction from Modern China; 7), Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, →ISBN, page 259:

     I should like to thank Jianmei Piao of the Stanford University Libraries for reading the entire translation and checking it against the Chinese. Jianmei caught some howlers for which I am very grateful.

   • 2009, Tom Burton, Quadrant, November 2009, No. 461 (Volume LIII, Number 11), Quadrant Magazine Limited, page 78:

     A howler is a glaring mistake, a mistake that cries out to be noticed.

4. (slang) A hilarious joke.
5. (slang) A bitterly cold day.
6. (psychology) A person who expresses aggression openly in the form of threats.

   Coordinate term: hunter

   • 2008, J. Reid Meloy, Lorraine Sheridan, Jens Hoffmann, Stalking, Threatening, and Attacking Public Figures, page 121:

     Although their behavior does not have the same impact as hunters, howlers nevertheless distract the public figure and compel security and law enforcement […]

   • 2015, Steve Albrecht, Library Security: Better Communication, Safer Facilities:

     Hunters stalk their targets, make detailed plans, acquire and practice with weapons, and try to hurt or kill people. Howlers make bomb threats to schools, malls, churches, businesses, and government offices.

7. (sometimes figurative) A heavy fall.
8. (slang) A serious accident (especially to come a howler or go a howler; compare come a cropper).

   Our hansom came a howler.

9. (slang) A tremendous lie; a whopper.
10. (slang, dated) A fashionably but extravagantly overdressed man, a "howling swell".
11. (historical) A 32-ounce ceramic, plastic, or stainless steel jug used to transport draft beer.
12. (slang) A small child.
    • 2013, Tyora Moody, Deep Fried Trouble:

      I wanted Leesa to pick up her children, not Child Protective Services. After thirty minutes, I had the two howlers fed and settled down for naps.

    • 2022, Joe Beine, Dark Eden:

      What are we doing to our children? But the howlers seem okay, maybe even happy. This makes me feel a little better about the future.

• calamity howler
• black howler
• ursine howler

• Wohler, wholer