Bete Noire
/ˌbeɪt ˈnwɑːr/noun
A person or thing that is especially disliked or avoided.
Did you know?In French, bête noire is a real idiom meaning a dreaded person or thing, and its dark, animalistic image helped it survive into English as a psychological label for obsession and aversion.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
bestia
“wild animal; beast”
Old French
Old French
beste
“beast, animal”
19th Century
French
bête noire
“a person or thing especially detested or feared”
19th Century
English
bete noire
“a dreaded object of dislike or annoyance”
Modern English
English
bete noire
“something or someone one especially dislikes or avoids”