whoa, Nelly

interjection

an exclamation of surprise, especially one in response to an unexpected acceleration of speed

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Meanings

interjection
  1. an exclamation of surprise, especially one in response to an unexpected acceleration of speed

    ...the jeep’s brakes never quite worked, even when Brady uttered the catch phrases "Whoa, Nellybelle" or "Whoa, Nelly."

    2020 June 17, The Denver Gazette

Origin

From whoa! (a command to slow or stop) + Nelly (a common name for a mule or horse). A popular catch-phrase, together with "Whoa, Nellybelle" on the Roy Rogers TV show (1951–1957).

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

whoa, Nelly. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/whoa%2C%20Nelly

MLA

“whoa, Nelly.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/whoa%2C%20Nelly. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “whoa, Nelly,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/whoa%2C%20Nelly.

Source: whoa, Nelly on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.