Abo

¹

or ab·o

[ Ab-oh ]

noun

, plural Ab·os.

1. a contemptuous term used to refer to an Australian Aboriginal person.

adjective

1. Aboriginal ( def 2 ).

ABO

²

abbreviation for

, Physiology.

1. ABO system.

Åbo

³

[ aw-boo ]

noun

1. Swedish name of Turku.

Abo

¹

/ ˈæbəʊ /

noun

1. 1. short for Aborigine
   2. ( as modifier )

      an Abo reserve

Åbo

²

/ ˈoːbuː /

noun

1. the Swedish name for Turku

Usage

This once quite common word is now completely unacceptable

Sensitive Note

Since Abo is simply a shortened form of Aborigine or Aboriginal, one could easily think that it is as neutral and inoffensive a term as Aussie is for an Australian. However, Abo is as highly offensive to Australian Aboriginal people as nigger is to African Americans in the United States.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Abo¹

First recorded in 1905–10; by shortening; -o

Example Sentences

Sheikh Abo Rayya was walking near the house at the time of the strike, according to Ms Hammoud.

From BBC

A relative of Sheikh Abo Rayya told the BBC that strike happened at about 17:10 local time, about 15 minutes after the funeral.

From BBC

The village’s imam, Sheikh Abdo Abo Rayya, was killed while walking near the house at the time of the strike along with two passers-by, she added.

From BBC

Ashraf Abo Taha said he was "shocked" as he identified the partially destroyed building in Israeli drone footage of the incident as his home on Ibn Sena street in Rafah, southern Gaza.

From BBC

Mr Abo Taha told BBC Arabic's Gaza Lifeline that he had left his home in Rafah for Khan Younis on 6 May, when Israel ordered evacuations and began an operation against Hamas fighters, and had not received any news of his house until now.

From BBC