Booby Trap
/ˈbuː.bi træp/noun
A concealed device designed to injure, surprise, or catch someone when they perform an apparently harmless action.
Did you know?Booby originally meant “fool” or “simpleton,” and was also applied to the booby bird because sailors considered its tame, unwary behavior foolish.
Etymological Timeline
16th Century
Spanish
bobo
“Foolish, simple, or stupid; the source of English booby”
Late 16th Century
English
booby
“A fool or stupid person; later also the name of a notably unwary seabird”
14th Century
Middle English
trappe
“A snare or device for catching animals”
15th–16th Century
English
trap
“A concealed device or pit used to catch someone or something”
19th Century
English
booby trap
“A trick or concealed snare intended to catch an unsuspecting person”
20th Century
English
booby trap
“A concealed explosive or other harmful device triggered by an apparently harmless action”
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