palooka
[ puh-loo-kuh ]
nounSlang.
an athlete, especially a boxer, lacking in ability, experience, or competitive spirit.
a stupid, clumsy person.
Origin of palooka
1An Americanism dating back to 1920–25; origin uncertain
Words Nearby palooka
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use palooka in a sentence
Unfazed, Bugs Bunny says, “Watch me paste this pathetic palooka with a powerful paralyzing perfect pachydermous percussion pitch.”
‘Baseball Bugs’ at 75: How a Looney Tunes classic left its mark on America’s pastime | Frederic J. Frommer | February 25, 2021 | Washington Post
British Dictionary definitions for palooka
palooka
/ (pəˈluːkə) /
noun
US slang a stupid or clumsy boxer or other person
Origin of palooka
1C20: origin uncertain
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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