Whopper

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈwɒp.ə(ɹ)/

Definitions

1. An exceptionally large object or thing notable for its size ; a statement that is grossly untrue or exaggerated
2. Something remarkably big or oversized compared to others ; a falsehood told with the intention to deceive by exaggeration
3. A notably huge item or amount far beyond normal scale ; a blatant or astonishing untruth often meant to mislead

Etymology: The word "whopper" is built from "whop," a verb meaning to strike or beat with a heavy blow, plus the suffix "-er," which here turns the verb into a noun for something that delivers such a blow. The sense of a thing that hits hard gave way over time to a thing that is simply huge, and that is the sense behind "whopper" for an outsized fish or an oversized burger. The lie sense came later, and it grew from the same idea of something exceptionally large. A tall tale is a "whopper" because it is an outsized falsehood, one that strains credibility by its sheer size. The word's meaning thus moved from physical force, to size, to the scale of an exaggerated lie.

Synonyms: lie, fib, falsehood

Antonyms: truth