WHODUNNIT Meaning and
Definition
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A "whodunnit" refers to a mystery genre in literature, film, or drama that centers around a crime or murder, with a primary focus on solving the mystery of who committed the act. The term is a contraction of the phrase "who done it" and is often hyphenated as "who-dunnit" or stylized as "whodunit." This type of storytelling revolves around presenting clues, motives, red herrings, and a series of intricate twists and turns to keep the audience engaged and guessing the identity of the perpetrator until the climax.
In a whodunnit, the plot typically unfolds through the efforts of a detective, investigator, or amateur sleuth who gathers evidence, interviews suspects, and employs their deductive reasoning to piece together the puzzle. The narrative often emphasizes suspense, tension, and the psychological aspects of the characters involved. These stories may incorporate elements of classic detective fiction, detective procedurals, or psychological thrillers, and may vary in style, setting, complexity, or pacing.
Whodunnits have gained significant popularity over the years, with notable examples including the works of renowned authors such as Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Raymond Chandler. The genre's success can be attributed to its ability to captivate audiences and satisfy their curiosity regarding the resolution of a complex and intriguing mystery.
Common Misspellings for WHODUNNIT
- qhodunnit
- ahodunnit
- shodunnit
- ehodunnit
- 3hodunnit
- 2hodunnit
- wgodunnit
- wbodunnit
- wnodunnit
- wjodunnit
- wuodunnit
- wyodunnit
- whidunnit
- whkdunnit
- whldunnit
- whpdunnit
- wh0dunnit
- wh9dunnit
- whosunnit
- whoxunnit
Etymology of WHODUNNIT
The word "whodunnit" is a colloquial term used to describe a mystery or detective story in which the identity of the perpetrator is unknown. It is derived from the phrase "who done it?" which was a characteristic line frequently used in mystery plays in the early 20th century.
The phrase itself is a shortened form of "Who done it?" where "who" refers to the unknown perpetrator and "done it" means "did it". The intention is to express the central question that arises in a mystery story - determining the identity of the person responsible for the crime.
Over time, "who done it?" evolved into "whodunit" and eventually into the more modern spelling, "whodunnit". This colloquial term has become widely recognized and is commonly used to refer to mystery novels, plays, and movies with an emphasis on determining the identity of the culprit.
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