Mark Liberman on “awkward:”
“Awkward” as a comment on a socially embarrassing or interpersonally uncomfortable situation is an entirely regular and straightforward use of a word that’s been around in this sense since the early 18th century. And preceding “awkward” with the interjection “wow” is similarly regular. Still, I have the impression that these are recently fashionable idioms.
It may be an example of Recency Illusion, so read on for (fashionable) examples. Either way, wow, awkward.
