ēalā
The closest Old English word for "wow" is ēalā.
ēalā is an interjection like "oh!" or "ah!" It can carry wonder, longing or sorrow, so the words around it show which feeling is meant.
Meaning: amazement (intj)
Which one should you use?
Old English also has wā, but it means "woe" or "alas" and expresses grief, not amazement.
Did you know?
- ēalā is made of ēa, a cry of "oh", and lā, which means "lo" or "look".
- The poem The Wanderer uses ēalā in its famous lament: Ēalā beorht bune! Ēalā byrnwiga! ("Alas, the bright cup! Alas, the mailed warrior!").
Examples in context
- Ēalā, hū fæger þis is!Wow, how beautiful this is!
- Ēalā, hū hēah se tūr is!Wow, how tall the tower is!
