Whimperative

Origin

whimperimperative. Coined by Jerrold Sadock in a 1970 essay.

Full definition of whimperative

Noun

1. (pragmatics) An order or imperative phrased obliquely as a question, such as "would you mind closing the window?"
• Since whimperatives look like questions, the lowest hypersentence must be interrogative.
• We see this in the way that whimperatives use pro forma openings like Can you rather than other wordings with the same meaning, such as Are you capable of passing the salt?