Bobo
/ˈboʊ.boʊ/noun
A colloquial term that can mean a foolish or pretentious person, or in some contexts a small sore or bump.
Did you know?In English, bobo is mostly a modern colloquialism, but in other languages it can also function as a child word or nickname, showing how sound alone can become meaning across cultures.
Etymological Timeline
19th Century
English
bobo
“A slang or playful term, often used for a fool or a simpleton in informal speech.”
20th Century
English
bobo
“A colloquial label for a pretentious bohemian-bourgeois type, especially in French-influenced usage.”
Modern English
English
bobo
“An informal word used in varied senses depending on region, including a foolish person or a small bump/sore.”
Modern Romance Languages
Romance
bobo
“A common childlike or affectionate reduplicated form used for pain, hurt, or a foolish person in some languages.”