When someone expresses contempt or condescendingly disproves, they sometimes exclaim, “Pooh!” You can say such a person “poohed” you or someone else.
This post explores the meaning and origins of the term “pooh,” and shows you how to use it.
Meaning
People use the English interjection “pooh” to convey disapproval, contempt, or scorn. “Puh” and “pugh” are alternative spellings.
“Pooh” (and the more popular variation “pooh-pooh”) can also act as a verb. When you “pooh” someone, you make it clear you don’t approve.
The casual “poohed” is the past tense of this verb.
“Poohed” is also an alternative spelling of “pooed,” with “to poo” being a cutesy way to say “to poop” (having a bowel movement). People most often use this expression when speaking to small children.
Example Usage
Are you wondering how you would incorporate “poohed” into a sentence? This unusual word isn’t used frequently, but if you want to put it into action, here’s how:
- “Sam’s coworkers poohed his grand ambitions behind his back, believing Sam’s ideas to be so outlandish they were insane. Still, Sam never gave up, and his ideas finally came to fruition.”
- “Everyone from opposition politicians to reporters and housewives pooh-poohed the President’s unorthodox policies.”
- “I can’t stand that old lady at our book club. I’m already shy as it is, but now I’m terrified to speak up. She lets me know she thinks I’m stupid whenever I open my mouth. The old biddy poohed my suggestion that the novel we’re reading has powerful symbolism last time.”
Origin
The interjection “pooh,” meaning disdain, disapproval, or scorn, first appeared in the English language in the late 16th century.
The earliest written example appears in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, which contains the line: “Affection! Pooh! You speak like a green girl, unsifted in such perilous circumstance.”
However, earlier versions like “puh” and “poh” are known to have existed before this time. They are likely natural exclamations people make when they are shocked or disgusted by something.
The slang “pooh-pooh,” which is now more popular than “pooh” and doubles the phrase by adding an identical syllable, emerged in the 1800s.
“Poohed” or “pooh-poohed” is simply the past tense of “pooh” when used as a verb. You can, as such, say someone “poohed you” when they expressed disapproval with condescending undertones.
Readers looking for information about the word “poohed” should be aware there are several possible alternative meanings:
- “Poohed” is one way to spell “pooed,” meaning “pooped.” This childish past-tense verb meaning someone defecated, is usually directed at children under five.
- A “pooh” can also be someone you are in a very casual intimate relationship with. The Urban Dictionary first defined “pooh” as a “friend with benefits” in 2010. This slang word is a noun, so there is no past tense.
Phrases Similar to Poohed
If you don’t want to use the terms “pooh” or “pooh-pooh,” you have plenty of other ways to express the same feeling. Some past-tense examples you can use instead of “poohed” include:
- Belittled.
- Dismissed.
- Mocked
- Ridiculed.
- Turned one’s nose up at [someone or something] — this idiom references people’s facial expressions when disgusted. Try it; you will see that your nose “crinkles” upward.
Phrases Opposite to Poohed
Taking someone seriously is the opposite of poohing someone. Someone who doesn’t pooh or pooh-pooh others or their ideas may:
- Pay close attention.
- Listen respectfully.
- Praise the person’s efforts.
- Gush about the person.
What Is the Correct Saying?
The correct saying is “poohed” or “pooh-poohed.” Poohing is belittling someone or scornfully disapproving, and “poohed” is the past tense of this verb.
Ways People May Say Poohed Incorrectly
You should not say someone “poohed” you if they merely disagreed with your ideas. Pooh-poohing someone requires disapproval.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Poohed
You can say that you were “poohed” when someone disdainfully rejected you or your opinions and ideas. You can add an extra “pooh,” and say “pooh-poohed” to increase the odds that your audience will understand you.