To whet one’s appetite means to arouse interest in something, usually food. The whet in whet one’s appetite refers to a sharpening, as in sharpening one’s interest in something. Someone may whet your appetite by providing a small taste, an example or enticing description that makes you want more of the item in question or to know more about a subject. Whet one’s appetite dates back to the early 1600s to describe stimulating an appetite for food, the phrase is used figuratively starting in the early 1800s.
Wet one’s appetite is an incorrect spelling of the phrase whet one’s appetite. Wet one’s appetite is an eggcorn, a word or phrase rendered incorrectly due to a mishearing or misspelling.
Examples
Then have a look at Ali pouring chocolate sauce over one of his creations to really whet your appetite. (The Birmingham Mail)
To whet your appetite for what is to come, TREC is organising a series of programmes in The Quad — an outdoor event space located between Zouk KL and Electric Boulevard. (The Star)
To whet your appetite for the night of malty flavours ahead, a pale ale, Zinnebir, this time from the microbrewery Brasserie de la Senne, also hailing from the Belgian state, will be served on arrival. (Malta Today)
There is nothing to whet your appetite for a summer of tournament football than teams unveiling their new kits. (The Mirror)
If this EP doesn’t totally whet your appetite, Blood’s planning to make many more moves this year, releasing a full-length LP, Lost in Slow Motion, on April 29. (The Seattle Weekly News)
“A wide range of wild foods, notably watercress and wild garlic was also on the menu, and if this didn’t whet his appetite, there were hen and goose eggs, honey, fish, butter, curds, seaweeds, apples and dairy as well.” (The Irish Mirror)