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DictionarypoohDismissal or disgust
interjection

pooh

POO/puː/

An exclamation expressing dismissal or disgust.

Pooh, she exclaims as she waves away the spoiled food.

A visibly voiced dismissive reaction to spoiled food: an older woman pulls her face away, wrinkles her nose, rounds her lips in a short disgusted puff, and sharply waves the offending plate away.
Etymology

The exclamation acts like puffing something away: a physical gesture of rejection becomes an expression of dislike, scorn, or contempt.

In context

Shakespeare Network31:07
Affection! pooh! you speak like a green girl, Unsifted in such perilous circumstance.
Hamlet - Kenneth Branagh - Shakespeare - 1992 - Multiple Subtitles - HD Restored Edition - 4K

More examples

  • He answered with a dismissive pooh.
  • Pooh, that's hardly a reason to cancel.
  • She wrinkled her nose and exclaimed pooh at the smell.

Forms

pooh

Similar words

bah
Another dismissive exclamation.
ugh
More strongly expresses disgust.