Pshaw
/pʃɔː/noun
An interjection expressing disbelief, impatience, contempt, or dismissal.
Did you know?Pshaw has no known ancient root: it is an imitative English interjection, likely representing an audible puff or exhalation used to signal disdain.
Etymological Timeline
17th Century
English
pshaw
“An expressive interjection used to show impatience, disbelief, or contempt”
17th–18th Century
English
pish
“A related contemptuous interjection, probably formed through expressive sound symbolism”
18th Century
English
pshaw!
“A conventional exclamation used to dismiss or reject an idea”
19th Century
English
pshaw
“A literary and theatrical expression of scorn or incredulity”
Modern English
English
pshaw
“A humorous or old-fashioned expression meaning “nonsense” or “I dismiss that””