Abo

¹

Or ab·o

[Ab-oh]

noun

plural

Abos 

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

adjective

1. Aboriginal.

ABO

²

abbreviation

Physiology.

1. ABO system.

Åbo

³

[aw-boo]

noun

1. Swedish name of Turku.

Abo

¹

/ ˈæbəʊ /

noun

1. 1. short for Aborigine

   2. ( as modifier )

      an Abo reserve

Åbo

²

/ ˈoːbuː /

noun

1. the Swedish name for Turku

Usage

This once quite common word is now completely unacceptable

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Abo¹

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