English word of the day: Wotcha

From time to time, when I’m stuck for what to blog about, I might just share with you one of the new words I’ve learned from my British colleagues.

One of the lads is always saying “Wotcha” as a greeting. Though it reads like a question, there isn’t an upwards inflection or a question mark so it’s a bit puzzling. Apparently it means G’day, Howdy, or Aloha depending on where you’re from, but it’s a real schoolboy, casual thing to say. Everytime he says it, I expect the word Harry to follow. Doesn’t Ron Weasley always say “Wotcha Harry” in Harry Potter?

I’m glad I know what it means now, but I don’t think I’ll start using it in a hurry.