pooh-pooh

[poo-poo] /ˈpuˈpu/
verb (used with object)
1.
to express disdain or contempt for; dismiss lightly:
He pooh-poohed all their superstitious fears.
verb (used without object)
2.
to express disdain or contempt.
Also, poo-poo.
Origin
1820-30; v. use of reduplication of pooh1
Related forms
pooh-pooher, noun
Examples from the web for pooh-pooh
  • The human brain seems to be built to pooh-pooh human pheromones.
  • But it still looks odd that green lobbyists were so quick to pooh-pooh the decision to get rid of subsidies.
  • Still, modern designers of light-displacement boats often pooh-pooh the sturdy qualities of traditional boats.
  • And, he says, it's worthwhile to go see a world wonder even when others may pooh-pooh it.
  • It is fashionable to pooh-pooh the trade deficit as being a largely meaningless statistic.
  • Skeptics pooh-pooh the so-called absinthe effect as hype perpetuated by artists and people trying to sell newspapers.
British Dictionary definitions for pooh-pooh

pooh-pooh

/ˈpuːˈpuː/
verb
1.
(transitive) to express disdain or scorn for; dismiss or belittle
Word Origin and History for pooh-pooh
v.

"to dismiss lightly and contemptuously," 1827, a slang reduplication of dismissive expression pooh. Among the many 19th century theories of the origin of language was the Pooh-pooh theory (1860), which held that language grew from natural expressions of surprise, joy, pain, or grief.

Slang definitions & phrases for pooh-pooh

pooh-pooh

verb

To dismiss lightly and contemptuously; airily deprecate; deride: I don't poopoo his talent, just his character (1827+)