pooh-pooh

verb

ˈpü-(ˌ)pü 

pü-ˈpü

variants or less commonly poo-poo or pooh

ˈpü 

pooh-poohed also poohed; pooh-poohing also poohing; pooh-poohs also poohs

intransitive verb

: to express contempt or impatience

transitive verb

: to express contempt for or make light of : play down, dismiss

pooh-pooher noun

or less commonly poo-pooer

plural pooh-poohers also poo-pooers

Despite what chief Providence pooh-pooher Jack Thomas writes in the Globe, I say the place is worth regular visits, especially after a day at the beach in southern Rhode Island.

—Paul Fischer

Word History

Etymology

pooh

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

pooh-pooh

verb

ˈpü-pü,

pü-ˈpü

variants also pooh

ˈpü

1

: to express scorn or impatience

2

: to treat with scorn : deride

pooh-pooh the idea of ghosts