boo word

n. an expression or term that represents a topic that is unpopular or unwelcome. Subjects: English, Politics, Colloquial

Editorial Note: The antonym is hurrah word (also spelled hooray word). In recent years, both boo word and hurrah word are more common in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand than they are in North America. Etymological Note: Though, as in the 1900 citation, the form bugaboo word is occasionally used, the origins of boo word are probably not in a clipping of bugaboo but by reference to the effect of the word on observers, either because it causes them to boo and jeer in response, or because they are startled or scared as if someone has shouted “boo!”

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Citations: [1900 Francis R. Warren Fort Wayne News (Indiana) (Oct. 12) “What Republicanism Has Done in Wyoming” p. 9: I hope he will be defeated so badly that the bugaboo word Imperialism will never be heard again.] 1942 Walter Winchell Nevada State Journal (Reno) (Mar. 24) “Winchell on Broadway” p. 4: Donald Nelson warned that Hitler’s hustlers are baiting the chumps with trick words, whispering about our industry being “sovietized,” the biggest boo word of the bunch. 1970 Arnold Beichman New York Times (Jan. 12) “Annual Education Review: 17 Campus Whites Express Their Views” p. 51: Whatever their politics may be, the students interviewed were not—by their own perceptions—“liberals.” The world [sic] “liberal” has for them become, to use the jargon, a “boo” word, even a term of accusation. 1981 Philip Howard Times (London, United Kingdom) (Nov. 21) “When a mug loses his wump”: Defector has pejorative connotations. It is a boo word. 1983 Baden Eunson Business Review Weekly (Australia) (Nov. 5) “Beware Of Your Hurricane Harry” p. 55: For Some The Word “Workaholic” Is A Boo Word, For Others It Is A Hurray Word. 1992 Tony Batt Las Vegas Review-Journal (Nevada) (Dec. 22) “Energy nominee wants nuke dump” p. 1A: Reid said Riley’s appointment means public education will no longer be a “hiss-and-boo word.” 2006 Charles Moore Telegraph (United Kingdom) (Sept. 2) “How will Tories defeat those who hate us?”: I am here not using “liberal” as a boo word meaning “Lefty,” but in its proper sense of offering freedom and opportunity.

Posted 4 Sep 06 | Permalink | Tell a Friend