Wiktionary

bozo

See also: Bozo, Božo, and bozó

English

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Etymology

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Attested since the 1910s in American English, of uncertain origin.[1][2] The term may derive from Spanish bozal, a term originally for a recently-imported slave and then "someone who speaks (Spanish) poorly".[3] The term is older than Bozo the Clown, introduced in 1946.[3] It is used as an insult in the 1931 Marx Brothers movie Monkey Business (1931 film). Derivation of the term from French bouseux /bu.zø/, a derogative term for a farmer equivalent to "bumpkin", is phonologically unlikely. Another possibility is Japanese 坊主 (bōzu) in its meaning of "young man", which can be derogatory, depending on the context.(Can this(+) etymology be sourced? Particularly: “The Japanese 坊主 being the plausible etymological origin of 'bozo' seems highly unlikely. What is the basis for this possibility?”)

Pronunciation

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Noun

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bozo (plural bozos)

  1. (slang) A stupid, foolish, or ridiculous person, especially a man. [from 1910s]

Synonyms

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Derived terms

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Translations

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References

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  1. ^ “bozo”, in Dictionary.com Unabridged, Dictionary.com, LLC, 1995–present.
  2. ^ “bozo”, in Merriam-Webster.com Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Douglas Harper (2001–2026), “bozo”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.

Anagrams

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Galician

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Late Latin *buccĕus (“relating or belonging to the mouth”).[1] See bucca for more.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): (standard) /ˈboθo/ [ˈbo.θʊ]
  • IPA(key): (seseo) /ˈboso/ [ˈbo.sʊ]

 

  • Hyphenation: bo‧zo

Noun

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bozo m (plural bozos)

  1. muzzle
    Synonyms: boceira, embozo, vetillo
  2. pout
  3. fish mouth
  4. upper lip fluff

Derived terms

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References

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  1. ^ Coromines, Joan; Pascual, José Antonio (1983–1991), “bozo”, in Diccionario crítico etimológico castellano e hispánico [Critical Castilian and Hispanic etymological dictionary]‎[1] (in Spanish), Madrid: Gredos

Spanish

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Etymology

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Borrowed from Medieval Latin *buccĕus (“relating or belonging to the mouth”). See bucca for more.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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bozo m (plural bozos)

  1. down, peach fuzz (soft hair on the upper lip)
  2. muzzle, mouth (exterior part of the mouth)
  3. halter (for leading horses)
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See also

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Further reading

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Yami

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Noun

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bozo

  1. ball
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