Womp womp is a new word that is not found in the Oxford English Dictionary as of yet, though it is becoming increasingly popular. Womp womp is an onomatopoeia, which is a word that is formed by imitating the sound of the thing or action being described. We will examine the definition of womp womp, where it came from and some examples of its use in sentences.
Womp womp is a comment made when responding to a minor disappointment or problem, it is usually considered humorous. The expression womp womp may be considered belittling, when responding to a serious disappointment or problem. The term womp womp is derived from a comedic convention dating back to the days of vaudeville, when a trombone was used to accent a joke by playing several descending tones. This musical interlude is also known as sad trombone, examples of which are easy to find on the internet. The spoken rendition, womp womp came into use in the early 2000s. The expression womp womp should only be used in obviously humorous situations, and not to mock someone who is truly in distress.
Examples
An Alabama man who yelled “womp womp” and waved a gun at people protesting the separation of migrant families appeared in court on Monday on charges of reckless endangerment and menacing, officials said. (The New York Times)
“Womp, womp,” Lewandowski said as fellow panelist Zac Petkanas, a Democratic strategist, related a story he’d read about a 10-year-old migrant girl who had been separated from her mother by immigration officials. (USA Today)
You know that feeling when you stare at your bank account and you’re just like womp-womp-womp. (Cosmopolitan Magazine)