pooh-pooh
[poo-poo]
- to express disdain or contempt for; dismiss lightly: He pooh-poohed all their superstitious fears.
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- to express disdain or contempt.
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Also poo-poo.
Origin of pooh-pooh
First recorded in 1820–30; v. use of reduplication of pooh1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for pooh-pooh
Contemporary Examples
When his fellow panelists pushed back, he proceeded to pooh-pooh all those “experts” who have said otherwise.
The pope may pooh-pooh the decision to remain childless, but the world needs more people who choose pets over kids.
Historical Examples
That was the sort of apparition that no guilty man would dare to pooh-pooh.
Tales Of HearsayJoseph Conrad
Here, for instance, I don't like the way you talk to me, the way you pooh-pooh my hospitality.
A Family of NoblemenMikhal Saltykov
Your wife will suggest calling in the doctor, but pooh-pooh him.
Princess Mary's Gift BookVarious
Lancaster, whenever he noticed her dejection, was inclined to pooh-pooh it.
The Plow-WomanEleanor Gates
They used to pooh-pooh the idea of the alchemists that gold had medicinal virtue.
L-basJ. K. Huysmans
pooh-pooh
- (tr) to express disdain or scorn for; dismiss or belittle
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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
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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper