Dictionary

goo-goo en · NOUN · etymology 1

Etymology

First attested circa 1899, in US military slang, probably from American soldiers during the Philippine-American War hearing Tagalog gago (“idiot; fool; simpleton”) and Tagalog gaga (“female idiot; female fool”) and considering it to sound like babbling (goo goo ga ga). Possibly influenced by goo-goo eyes, which "was in vogue c. 1900 and may have contributed to this somehow" since early uses of goo-goo and gook refer specifically to prostitutes who followed army camps. See also gook.

Meanings

1. (derogatory, ethnic, offensive, slur, vulgar) A Filipino person.

Forms

wikipedia: Philippine-American War

goo-goo en · NOUN · etymology 2

Etymology

From good government. Attested from the 1890s.

Meanings

1. (US, derogatory) A government reformer.
   • Stinging Rebuke Administered to Bald Attempt to Grab City; Goo-Goo Clique Swept Off Their Feet by Landslide Against Municipal Freak 1912 December 4, “Voters, Aroused, Rout Goo-Goo Gangsters”, in Los Angeles Times, archived from the original on 30 Jun 2013:
   • Some goo-goos are so relentless in their pursuit of goo-gooism that they become a public menace. 1993 December 7, Mike Royko, “Pass the pablums, it's goo-goo time”, in Chicago Tribune, archived from the original on 30 Jun 2013, page 13:

Forms

Deriveds

goo-gooism

Relateds

do-gooder

goo-goo en · ADJ · etymology 3

Etymology

Uncertain; perhaps from goggle. Attested from 1900.

Meanings

1. (of the eyes, slang, usually) Amorous, affectionate.
   • A Ordinance to Suppress Flirting, aka “Goo-Goo Eyes” (1905) The so-called “Goo-Goo Eyes” ordinance prescribed penalties for men who made “goo-goo eyes at, or in any other manner look at or make remarks to or concerning, or cough or whistle at, or do any other act to attract the attention of any woman.” 2012, Mitchel P. Roth, Tom Kennedy, Houston Blue: The Story of the Houston Police Department, page 52:
   • I wants to ask one question now, please let me call you dear, It cost a lot to gain a rep. But I’ll blow the road right here, if you’ll be mine, if you’ll be mine, Just because you makes them goo-goo eyes 1900, “Just Because She Made Dem Goo-goo Eyes”, John Queen (lyrics), Hughley Cannon (music):
   • I have to admit he is really easy on the eyes, but I don’t go all goo-goo over him every time he’s near like most of the girls in class. 2011, Carolyn Moring Lowes, Awakening Avery, page 2:

Forms

Deriveds

goo-goo eyes

goo-goo en · INTJ · etymology 4

Meanings

1. (onomatopoeic) The noise of a baby trying to imitate speech.

Deriveds

goo goo ga ga

Relateds

goo goo ga ga

Translations (4)

pl gugu (noise of a baby trying to imitate speech) · vi bập bẹ (noise of a baby trying to imitate speech) · ru агу́-агу́ (noise of a baby trying to imitate speech) · vi bi bô (noise of a baby trying to imitate speech)