different between botch vs howler

English

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /b?t??/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /b?t??/
• Rhymes: -?t?

Etymology 1

From Middle English bocchen (“to mend”), of uncertain origin. Possibly from Old English b?tettan (“to improve; cure; remedy; repair”), or from Middle Dutch botsen, butsen, boetsen (“to repair; patch”), related to beat.

Verb

botch (third-person singular simple present botches, present participle botching, simple past and past participle botched)

1. (transitive) To perform (a task) in an unacceptable or incompetent manner; to make a mess of something

   Synonyms: ruin, bungle; see also Thesaurus:spoil

2. To do something without skill, without care, or clumsily.

   (Can we add an example for this sense?)

3. To repair or mend clumsily.

   Synonyms: bodge; see also Thesaurus:kludge

Translations

Noun

botch (plural botches)

1. An action, job, or task that has been performed very badly; a ruined, defective, or clumsy piece of work.

   (Can we add an example for this sense?)
2. A patch put on, or a part of a garment patched or mended in a clumsy manner.
3. A mistake that is very stupid or embarrassing.

   (Can we add an example for this sense?)

4. A messy, disorderly or confusing combination; conglomeration; hodgepodge.
5. (archaic) One who makes a mess of something.

   Synonym: bungler

   • 1863, Sheridan Le Fanu, The House by the Churchyard

     If it was the last word I ever spoke, Puddock, you're a good-natured—he's a gentleman, Sir—and it was all my own fault; he warned me, he did, again' swallyin' a dhrop of it—remember what I'm saying, doctor—'twas I that done it; I was always a botch, Puddock, an' a fool; and—and—gentlemen—good-bye.

Translations

Related terms

• bodge

See also

• foul up
• mess up
• screw up

Etymology 2

From Middle English botche, from Anglo-Norman boche, from Late Latin bocia (“boss”).

Noun

botch (plural botches)

1. (obsolete) A tumour or other malignant swelling.
2. A case or outbreak of boils or sores.

English

Etymology

howl +? -er. Some senses are derivatives of the intensifier "howling", as in "howling wilderness", (Deuteronomy 32:10)

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?ha?l?/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?ha?l?/
• Rhymes: -a?l?(?)
• Hyphenation: howl?er

Noun

howler (plural howlers)

1. That which howls, especially an animal such as a wolf or a howler monkey.
2. (historical) A person hired to howl at a funeral.
3. (slang) A painfully obvious mistake.
   • 1993, Paul Krugman, How I Work, October 1 1993, in: Paul Krugman, Arguing with Zombies, 2020, p. 402:

     Given what we know about cognitive psychology, utility maximization is a ludicrous concept; equilibrium pretty foolish outside of financial markets; perfect competition a howler for most industries.

   • 2009, Tom Burton, Quadrant, November 2009, No. 461 (Volume LIII, Number 11), Quadrant Magazine Limited, page 78:

     A howler is a glaring mistake, a mistake that cries out to be noticed.

4. (slang) A hilarious joke.
5. (slang) A bitterly cold day.
6. (psychology) A person who expresses aggression openly in the form of threats.

   Coordinate term: hunter

   • 2008, J. Reid Meloy, Lorraine Sheridan, Jens Hoffmann, Stalking, Threatening, and Attacking Public Figures (page 121)

     Although their behavior does not have the same impact as hunters, howlers nevertheless distract the public figure and compel security and law enforcement […]

   • 2015, Steve Albrecht, Library Security: Better Communication, Safer Facilities

     Hunters stalk their targets, make detailed plans, acquire and practice with weapons, and try to hurt or kill people. Howlers make bomb threats to schools, malls, churches, businesses, and government offices.

7. (sometimes figuratively) A heavy fall.
8. (slang) A serious accident (especially to come a howler or go a howler; compare come a cropper).

   Our hansom came a howler.

9. (slang) A tremendous lie; a whopper.
10. (slang, dated) A fashionably but extravagantly overdressed man, a "howling swell".
11. (historical) A 32-ounce ceramic, plastic, or stainless steel jug used to transport draft beer.

Derived terms

• calamity howler

Translations

References

Anagrams

• Wohler, wholer