rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryphooeyDismissal or annoyance
interjection

phooey

FOO-ee/ˈfuːi/

An exclamation expressing dismissal or annoyance.

Phooey, this peach is covered in mold!

A young man recoils slightly from a moldy peach on a small plate, wrinkling his nose and giving a dismissive outward flick of his free hand: an expressive moment of mild disgust and rejection.
Etymology
phooeyGermanexpression of contempt

German pfui was itself an expression of contempt. Phooey likewise voices a dismissive reaction rather than naming one, making it useful for rejecting a claim or expressing mild disgust.

In context

Nate Schoemer150:03
or he goes ahead of us and we can say no or or phooey or wrong
Everything You NEED To KNOW To TRAIN Your DOG!

More examples

  • Phooey on that rule; it makes no sense.
  • Oh, phooey, I left my keys at home.
  • Phooey, I'm not wasting my Saturday on extra paperwork.

Similar words

ugh
Usually conveys disgust or frustration rather than outright dismissal.
bah
Emphasizes contemptuous dismissal rather than annoyance at an inconvenience.