Woody Allen
- proper noun
- /ˈwʊdi ˈælən/
- The renowned filmmaker Woody Allen has written and directed many beloved movies.
Examples
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The acclaimed filmmaker Woody Allen is known for his unique blend of comedy and philosophy in his films.
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My Woody Allen glasses.
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In her essay, she discusses the impact of Woody Allen's work on modern cinema.
Surface Forms
Morphology
Woody + Allen
This is a proper name referring to a specific individual (an American filmmaker), so its meaning is not compositionally derived from the constituent words. Even if a learner knows the meanings of 'woody' and 'Allen', those constituents do not indicate the identity or profession of the person; recognizing this MWE requires cultural or lexical knowledge rather than simple morphological composition.
Etymology
Woody Allen is a stage name the filmmaker picked when he started his career. He was born Allan Konigsberg but chose a shorter, catchier name for show business, so Woody Allen is the name we use for the American director and comedian known for his funny, thoughtful films.