Bah
/bɑː/noun
An interjection expressing contempt, impatience, dismissal, or disbelief.
Did you know?Unlike words with traceable ancient roots, “bah” is probably an expressive interjection—its meaning carried by tone and gesture rather than a clear ancestral vocabulary root.
Etymological Timeline
16th Century
English
bah
“An interjection used to express contempt, impatience, or disdain.”
17th Century
English
bah
“A dismissive exclamation appearing in dramatic and literary dialogue.”
18th Century
English
bah
“A conventional expression of scorn or disbelief.”
19th Century
English
bah
“A familiar interjection signaling rejection, annoyance, or contempt.”
Modern English
English
bah
“A brief spoken or written dismissal, often equivalent to “nonsense” or “who cares.””