Dictionary

po po en · NOUN

Etymology

Borrowed from Mandarin 婆婆 (pópo, “husband's mother”), Cantonese 婆婆 (po⁴ po⁴⁻², “maternal grandmother”).

Meanings

1. (dated, qualifier:Chinese contexts) Mother-in-law, (especially) the mother of one's husband.
   • When she was about eight years old a very sad thing happened to May Blossom. Her mother died and her “po-po” (mother-in-law) said she must go and live with her 1906, China's Millions, China Inland Mission (Council for North America), page 9:
   • All through the term she was a regular attendant, though her Po-Po (mother-in-law) tried many schemes to hinder her. Mrs. Fu’s virtuous life has been a sore rebuke to the old lady who spends her days gossiping, feasting and gambling with her old cronies. 1915, “Missions”, in Missions: American Baptist International Magazine, volume 6, American Baptist Convention, page 672:
2. (US, informal) Grandmother, (especially) one's maternal grandmother.
   • “Rose keep blouse. She put it on shrine with baby clothes. Maybe Chi Lung see her blouse in his dream, know Rose his po po—and come back.” 2019, Virginia King, The Fourth Door, page 69:
   • “Mel!” Po Po called from the other room. He went to the doorway of the kitchen so he could see his po po, sitting in the armchair, as well as Ruby running around with the xylophone and screaming “Good doggie!” or similar. 2022, Jackie Lau, The Stand-Up Groomsman, page 138:
   • His fingers curled into fists. “Listen, you old bat—” Po Po whipped out her pepper spray and blasted him. 2015, Anne R. Tan, Gusty Lovers and Cadavers, page 21:
   • And Stephanie has, since birth, lived with her grandmother – her Po-po – in this house. 1995, Mei Zhou, Elizabeth Choy: More Than a War Heroine, page 154:

Forms