poo-poo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-Low (More common in spoken, family, or informal contexts)Informal, Childish, Euphemistic
Quick answer
What does “poo-poo” mean?
A child's or euphemistic word for feces or the act of defecating.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A child's or euphemistic word for feces or the act of defecating.
To dismiss an idea or suggestion as foolish or worthless (verbal use). Also used as a term of endearment for something considered cute in some contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely parallel. The form "poo" (without reduplication) is perhaps more common in both varieties for the core meaning.
Connotations
Universally childish and euphemistic. The dismissive verb "to pooh-pooh" is more commonly spelled without the hyphen (pooh-pooh) and is considered more established in that sense.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English, especially in the noun form "poo," but the reduplicated form "poo-poo" is relatively rare in adult-to-adult conversation in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “poo-poo” in a Sentence
[Subject] do/make a poo-poo[Subject] need a poo-pooto pooh-pooh [Object/Idea]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “poo-poo” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The toddler said he needed to poo-poo.
- Don't pooh-pooh her suggestion without thinking.
American English
- The baby poo-pooed in his diaper.
- He tends to pooh-pooh any new technology.
adverb
British English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
American English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- He had a poo-poo accident.
- That's a poo-poo idea, darling.
American English
- Watch out for the dog's poo-poo pile.
- She gave him a poo-poo face.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Highly inappropriate. The verbal form 'pooh-pooh' (dismiss) is archaic but might be used humorously.
Academic
Completely inappropriate for formal writing, except perhaps in linguistic or sociological studies of child language.
Everyday
Used primarily with or by young children, or humorously among close friends/family.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “poo-poo”
- Using 'poo-poo' in formal or professional contexts.
- Confusing the spelling with the unrelated 'pooh' from Winnie-the-Pooh.
- Overusing the term with older children or adults, which can sound condescending.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Poo' and 'poop' are the standard informal nouns. 'Poo-poo' is a childish reduplication, more emphatic and typical of very young children's speech or baby talk. 'Poop' is more common in American English.
Etymologically, they are distinct. 'Pooh-pooh' (dismiss) is an older term, from the interjection 'pooh' expressing contempt. However, in modern perception, they are often humorously associated, with the dismissive sense metaphorically treating an idea as waste.
Rarely. Among adults, its use is almost exclusively humorous, self-consciously childish, or when quoting/imitating a child. Using it seriously would likely be seen as very immature.
The standard spelling for the childish term is with a hyphen: poo-poo. The dismissive verb is typically spelled pooh-pooh. The single word 'poopoo' is non-standard.
A child's or euphemistic word for feces or the act of defecating.
Poo-poo is usually informal, childish, euphemistic in register.
Poo-poo: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpuː puː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpu pu/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Pooh-pooh the idea (established idiom for dismissal)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a train going 'choo-choo' – a child might say 'poo-poo' for what's left behind. The repeated syllable makes it sound childish.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE OBJECTS; WORTHLESS IDEAS ARE WASTE/BODILY EXCRETIONS.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'poo-poo' MOST appropriate?