pooh-pooh

[ poo-poo ]

verb (used with object)

1. to express disdain or contempt for; dismiss lightly:

   He pooh-poohed all their superstitious fears.

verb (used without object)

1. to express disdain or contempt.

pooh-pooh

/ ˈpuːˈpuː /

verb

1. tr to express disdain or scorn for; dismiss or belittle

Other Words From

• pooh-pooher noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pooh-pooh¹

First recorded in 1820–30; v. use of reduplication of pooh ¹

Example Sentences

Many pooh-pooh 2 by 6 walls and urge you to build two separate 2 by 4 walls, separated by an inch or so.

From Seattle Times

Try as the studios might to pooh-pooh the possibility of artificial intelligence taking over work formerly done by writers and actors, their own high-level AI-related job postings give them away.

From Los Angeles Times

I think we all pooh-pooh broadcast these days, but I am the showrunner I am because of broadcast, without a doubt.

From New York Times

When we pooh-pooh the subjective, the love of the fans, we are giving power to people that already have it.

From Los Angeles Times

The towels inside wave with enough frenzy that you might think bygone generations that used to pooh-pooh women’s sports deserve a fresh lampooning.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• belittle
• play down
• repudiate