Pshaw: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
pshaw
[ pสษห ]
dismissive expression
Pshaw is an exclamation used to express disbelief, disdain, or a lack of concern towards something. It often conveys a sense of scoffing or rejecting an idea as insignificant or foolish.
Synonyms
fiddlesticks, nonsense, rubbish.
Examples of usage
- Pshaw, who would believe that?
- Pshaw, that's just nonsense!
- He said he could run a marathon, but I thought, pshaw!
- When she brought up that old rumor, I just said pshaw.
Translations
Translations of the word "pshaw" in other languages:
๐ต๐น pff
- tsc
- ih
- uau
๐ฎ๐ณ เคนเคพเคฏ
- เคตเคพเคน
- เคเคธเคฎ
- เคคเคธเฅเคธ
๐ฉ๐ช pah
- pff
- tsc
- oh
๐ฎ๐ฉ huh
- pff
- tsk
๐บ๐ฆ ะฟั
- ัั
- ััั
- ะพะน
๐ต๐ฑ fuj
- pff
- tsk
๐ฏ๐ต ใตใ (fun)
- ใฏใ (haa)
- ใใ (ee)
๐ซ๐ท pff
- tss
- oh lร lร
๐ช๐ธ pff
- tsk
- ay
- ugh
๐น๐ท pff
- tss
- oh
๐ฐ๐ท ์ผ (eu)
- ํ (ha)
- ์์ด (ei)
๐ธ๐ฆ ุฃูู (uh)
๐จ๐ฟ fuj
- jee
- pff
๐ธ๐ฐ fuj
๐จ๐ณ ๅผ (hฤng)
๐ธ๐ฎ pff
๐ฎ๐ธ huh
- pff
- รฆ
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฟั
- ัั
- ััั
๐ฌ๐ช แฐแ (ho)
๐ฆ๐ฟ pff
- tsk
- he
๐ฒ๐ฝ pff
- ay
- uh
Etymology
The word 'pshaw' is derived from the early 19th century, and it is an exclamation that imitates the sound of dismissive disdain. Its use can be traced back in literature, reflecting the social attitudes of its time, where it served as a verbal expression to negate or belittle the ideas or statements of others. The phonetic quality of 'pshaw' resembles a sound one might make when physically scoffing or expressing incredulity. Its origins are somewhat obscure, but it is believed to be an onomatopoeic word, reflective of the human tendency to mock or dismiss things non-verbally, later transferring that action into verbal expression. As language evolved, 'pshaw' captured a specific emotional response, fitting naturally into the vernacular of English speakers, particularly those wishing to express skepticism or rejection without elaborating further.