Cootie: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ฆ
cootie
[ หkuหti ]
slang term
A cootie is a term used to refer to imaginary germs or lice that children often believe can be transmitted through close contact or from the opposite sex. The word is commonly used in a playful or derogatory manner among children.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Ew, stay away from her! She has cooties!
- Boys have cooties, I can't play with them.
- Don't let them touch you, or you'll get cooties!
Translations
Translations of the word "cootie" in other languages:
๐ต๐น piolho
๐ฎ๐ณ เคฌเคงเคฟเคฐ
๐ฉ๐ช laus
๐ฎ๐ฉ kutu
๐บ๐ฆ ะฒะพัะฐ
๐ต๐ฑ wszy
๐ฏ๐ต ใทใฉใ
๐ซ๐ท poux
๐ช๐ธ piojo
๐น๐ท bit
๐ฐ๐ท ์ด
๐ธ๐ฆ ูู ู
๐จ๐ฟ vลกi
๐ธ๐ฐ vลกi
๐จ๐ณ ่ฑๅญ
๐ธ๐ฎ uลกi
๐ฎ๐ธ lรบs
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฑาฑะปััา
๐ฌ๐ช แฌแแแ แ
๐ฆ๐ฟ bit
๐ฒ๐ฝ piojo
Etymology
The term 'cootie' originated during World War I as a slang term for lice, particularly in relation to the lice that infested soldiers in the trenches. Soldiers began using the word in a humorous context to describe the discomfort and irritation caused by lice. This usage soon spread, and by the 1920s, it had entered popular culture, especially among children who used it to refer to any kind of germs or imaginary bugs during playground games. Cooties were often associated with the idea of being 'infected' by close contact with someone of the opposite gender, and it has remained a part of children's language and games ever since. The playful notion of cooties reflects childhood fears and social dynamics around germs and cleanliness.
Word Frequency Rank
At position #41,888, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.