Abo

¹

or ab·o

[ Ab-oh ]

noun

, plural Ab·os.

1. a contemptuous term used to refer to an Australian Aboriginal person.

adjective

1. Aboriginal ( def 2 ).

ABO

²

abbreviation for

, Physiology.

1. ABO system.

Åbo

³

[ aw-boo ]

noun

1. Swedish name of Turku.

Åbo

¹

/ ˈoːbuː /

noun

1. See Turku
   the Swedish name for Turku

Abo

²

/ ˈæbəʊ /

noun

1. 1. short for Aborigine
   2. ( as modifier )

      an Abo reserve

Sensitive Note

Since Abo is simply a shortened form of Aborigine or Aboriginal, one could easily think that it is as neutral and inoffensive a term as Aussie is for an Australian. However, Abo is as highly offensive to Australian Aboriginal people as nigger is to African Americans in the United States.

Usage

This once quite common word is now completely unacceptable

Word History and Origins

Origin of Abo¹

First recorded in 1905–10; by shortening; -o

Example Sentences

One of the best specimens of such an entertainment we chanced to see was at the old-world city of Åbo.

From Project Gutenberg

It ran—Annuka, the maid of Åbo, sat at the end of the bridge waiting for a man after her own mind, a man with tender words.

From Project Gutenberg

We stopped at Åbo, the ancient capital of Finland, justly proud of its stone cathedral.

From Project Gutenberg

It was really amazing, in the market-place at Åbo, to see the large baskets filled with these little crayfish.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus too Åbo, the ancient capital of Finland, was called Turku, which in the Swedish language means a market-place.

From Project Gutenberg