rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryhootSlightest concern
noun

hoot

The smallest amount of concern or importance.

He does not give a hoot about the gossip.

Etymology
houtenMiddle Englishto shout, call out

The word for a brief call is used as a deliberately tiny measure of concern. Not giving a hoot therefore means not caring even the smallest amount.

More examples

  • It matters not one hoot to her.
  • They cared not a hoot who won.
  • His opinion was not worth a hoot to the angry crowd.

Forms

hoot

Similar words

fig
Fig appears in similar expressions for minimal concern.
care
Care directly names concern without the idiom.