• Poobah

    Pronunciation

    • IPA: /ˈpuːbɑː/

    Origin

    From Pooh-Bah, a comic character in the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta The Mikado (1885), formed as pooh + bah, both expressing contempt. Libretto by W. S. Gilbert, preceded by character Pish-Tush-Pooh-Bah (described as “haughty”) in “King Borriah Bungalee Boo” (1866), one of the Bab Ballads, with pish and tush other terms of contempt.

    Full definition of poobah

    Noun

    poobah

    (plural poobahs)
    1. A person holding multiple offices or positions of power, all at the same time.
    2. An important person.
    3. A pompous person.

    Synonyms

    Derived terms

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