Synonyms for boo

Grammar : Verb

Spell : boo

Phonetic Transcription : bu

Définition of boo

Origin : expression meant to startle, early 15c., boh, "A combination of consonant and vowel especially fitted to produce a loud and startling sound" [OED, which compares Latin boare, Greek boaein "to cry aloud, roar, shout."]; as an expression of disapproval, 1801 (n.), 1816 (v.); hence, the verb meaning "shower someone with boos" (1893).
Booing was common late 19c. among London theater audiences and at British political events; In Italy, Parma opera-goers were notorious boo-birds, but the custom seems to have been little-known in America till c.1910.
To say boo "open one's mouth, speak," originally was to say boo to a goose.
To be able to say Bo! to a goose is to be not quite destitute of courage, to have an inkling of spirit, and was probably in the first instance used of children. A little boy who comes across some geese suddenly will find himself hissed at immediately, and a great demonstration of defiance made by them, but if he can pluck up heart to cry 'bo!' loudly and advance upon them, they will retire defeated. The word 'bo' is clearly selected for the sake of the explosiveness of its first letter and the openness and loudness of its vowel. [Walter W. Skeat, "Cry Bo to a Goose, "Notes and Queries," 4th series vi Sept. 10, 1870]

verb decry

Example sentences :

And you look now as if somebody's ghost had riz and hollered 'Boo!'
Extract from : « Cy Whittaker's Place » by Joseph C. Lincoln

He dashed up noisily from the underbrush, swung his arms, and shouted, “Boo!”
Extract from : « The Boy Settlers » by Noah Brooks

Our sleigh tumbled on one side or the other, upsetting before we could say "Boo!"
Extract from : « The Land of the Long Night » by Paul du Chaillu

In the daytime she has a weakness for picture hats, and she can't say boo to a goose.'
Extract from : « The Explorer » by W. Somerset Maugham

But this time Miss Wayne never said 'boo,' when I couldn't hold in any longer.
Extract from : « Heart of Gold » by Ruth Alberta Brown

Lead us to what you like; you have brains,” returned the man who had previously said “boo!
Extract from : « The Giant of the North » by R.M. Ballantyne

Your mother and Chet and Boo are going to have supper with Switchie and his folks.
Extract from : « Nero, the Circus Lion » by Richard Barnum

He wanted to try to find his father and his mother and Chet and Boo.
Extract from : « Nero, the Circus Lion » by Richard Barnum

When he awakened his brother Chet and his sister Boo were in the cave looking at him.
Extract from : « Nero, the Circus Lion » by Richard Barnum

"I don't care what you call me," said Boo, speaking in lion talk of course.
Extract from : « Nero, the Circus Lion » by Richard Barnum

Most wanted synonyms

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019