Etymology 1
Onomatopoeic. Compare huzz, hizz, hiss.
Noun
whiz (countable and uncountable, plural whizzes)
- A whirring or hissing sound (as above).
- (informal) Someone who is remarkably skilled at something.
- Synonyms: see Thesaurus:skilled person
He's a whiz with the computers.
1987, Kerry Cue, Hang On To Your Horses Doovers, page 77:The chefs are veritable whizzes at arranging food on your plate to look like happy frog faces and growly clown faces.
- (vulgar, slang, especially with the verb "take") An act of urination.
- Synonyms: see Thesaurus:urination
I have to take a whiz.
- (UK, slang, uncountable) Amphetamine.
1995, “Sorted For E’s and Wizz”, in Jarvis Cocker (lyrics), Different Class, performed by Pulp:And I don't quite understand just what this feeling is / But that's okay cause we're all sorted out for E's and wizz
- (UK, slang, with "the") Pickpocketing.
2003, David W. Maurer, Whiz Mob, page 40:This type of pickpocket, it should be noted, is passing from the scene; most class cannons now operating are old-timers. “The only youngsters I see breaking in on the whiz are jigs, and they are coining a bebop lingo that is something. […]
Translations
whirring or hissing sound