bozo en · NOUN
Pronunciation
Etymology
Attested since the 1910s in American English, of uncertain origin. The term may derive from Spanish bozal, a term originally for a recently-imported slave and then "someone who speaks (Spanish) poorly". The term is older than Bozo the Clown, introduced in 1946. 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.
Meanings
-
(slang) A stupid, foolish, or ridiculous person, especially a man.
‘What’s the big bozo up to?’
1932, Delos W. Lovelace, King Kong, published 1965, page 51:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| bozos | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Deriveds
bozo eruption · bozo filter · bozon · bozotic · bozo bin · bozoid · Obozo · bozone · bozosity · bozone layer
Translations (19)
hu idióta ((slang) a stupid or foolish person) · mk акмак ((slang) a stupid or foolish person) · hu marha ((slang) a stupid or foolish person) · mk шутрак ((slang) a stupid or foolish person) · hu tökfej ((slang) a stupid or foolish person) · ru дура́к ((slang) a stupid or foolish person) · hu kretén ((slang) a stupid or foolish person) · pl głupek ((slang) a stupid or foolish person) · hu ostoba pofa/csávó/alak/ürge/ipse ((slang) a stupid or foolish person) · ru приду́рок ((slang) a stupid or foolish person) · id orang bodoh ((slang) a stupid or foolish person) · hu hülye ((slang) a stupid or foolish person) · sv pappskalle ((slang) a stupid or foolish person) · mk глупак ((slang) a stupid or foolish person) · hi चपड़गंजू ((slang) a stupid or foolish person) · pl palant ((slang) a stupid or foolish person) · ru тупи́ца ((slang) a stupid or foolish person) · pl przygłup ((slang) a stupid or foolish person) · sv dåre ((slang) a stupid or foolish person)
wikipedia: Marx Brothers · wikipedia: Bozo the Clown · wikipedia: Monkey Business (1931 film)