obbo slang.
(ˈɒbəʊ)
Also obo.
[Abbrev. of observation: cf. -o2.]
Observation, esp. in police work. In military use ellipt. for observation balloon.
| 1925 Fraser & Gibbons Soldier & Sailor Words 212 Obbo, observation balloon. 1933 C. E. Leach On Top of Underworld 9, I am still ‘on the trail’, like you, and my thoughts hark back to the long weary days and nights of ‘obbo’ (observation) and shadowing. 1940 Partridge Slang 192 An observation balloon is an obbo or a sausage. 1968 Busby & Holtham Main Line Kill vi. 68 Now I got a fix on the place I got to do some obo first. Get the lie of the land. 1972 ‘B. Graeme’ Tomorrow's Yesterday xi. 117 We're keeping a man, suspected of robbery..under obbo. 1973 D. Lees Rape of Quiet Town iv. 68, I went to keep obbo for a bit. |