pah
noun/pɑː/
1
Dated Dated form of pa (“Maori fort”).
pah
intj/pæ/
Etymology Imitative of spitting out something disgusting.
1
Used to express distaste, disgust or outrage.
- Fie! fie! fie! pah! pah! Give me an ounce of civet, good apothecary, to sweeten my imagination.c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene vi]:
- She was rarely suffered out of their sight; never went beyond the domains of the castle, unless well attended, or, rather, well watched; had continual lectures read to her about strict decorum and implicit obedience; and, as to the men—pah! she was taught to hold them at such distance and distrust that, unless properly authorized, she would not have cast a glance upon the handsomest cavalier in the world—no, not if he were even dying at her feet.1819, Washington Irving, The Spectre Bridegroom:
1 more example
- Limpet ejaculated "Pah!" like a man bitterly tired of life.1913, Norman Lindsay, A Curate in Bohemia, Sydney: N.S.W. Bookstall Co., published 1932, page 12:
- Synonyms
- yuck