phoo, int.
(fuː)
[Another form of phew, pho.]
A vocal gesture expressing contemptuous rejection, cursory dismissal (of a proposition, idea, etc.) or reproach, and discomfort or weariness (cf. phew int.).
| 1672 Villiers (Dk. Buckhm.) Rehearsal iv. i. (Arb.) 105 Phoo! that is to raise the character of Drawcansir. ― Chances v. iv. (1682) 61 Phoo! y' are always abusing me. 1673 [R. Leigh] Transp. Reh. 20 Phoo! reply'd a Friend of the Transprosers. 1814 Jane Austen Mansf. Park I. xv. 305 Phoo! Phoo! Do not be so shamefaced. 1840 Hood Up Rhine 46, I..enquired how the untoward event had originated. ‘Originated!—phoo, phoo—no such thing, it was done on purpose.’ c 1874 D. Boucicault in M. R. Booth Eng. Plays of 19th Cent. (1969) II. 171 Phoo! How my arms ache! 1960 J. Stroud Shorn Lamb xviii. 201 I'm fed up o' lodgings... Feet orf my sofa, no smokin' in front o' children—phoo! 1978 ‘J. Lymington’ Waking of Stone i. 26 She..dropped on the seat and went, ‘Phooo!’ |
Hence pho(o)-pho(o) v. trans., to ridicule, = pooh-pooh v. Also absol.
| 1865 Cornh. Mag. June 755 He pho-pho'd the poor ghost. 1866 Ibid. Aug. 141 It is easy to blame and to phoo-phoo. |