- An exclamation expressing disbelief, contempt, dismissal, or impatience.
- It conveys a sense of That's ridiculous! or I don't believe that!
Explanation
Origin
- Onomatopoeic origin, mimicking a dismissive sound like a puff of air or a scoff.
- Dates back to the 17th century.
- It's now considered quite dated or archaic.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal (expressing disbelief/contempt):
- Whatever.
- Yeah, right.
- As if!
- No way.
- Get real.
- That's crap. / That's bullshit.
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Bullshit!
- Fuck that!
- Are you fucking kidding me?
Milder/Common:
- Nonsense.
- I don't think so.
- That's ridiculous.
- Come on. (Expressing disbelief or impatience)
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal. Due to its dated nature, it often sounds theatrical, humorous, or deliberately old-fashioned when used today.
- Using it seriously might make the speaker sound eccentric or archaic. Avoid in almost all professional or formal settings.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Some listeners, especially younger ones or non-native speakers, might not recognize the word or its meaning.
- The primary risk is sounding strange or out-of-touch if used unironically.
Examples
- Pshaw! You don't really believe that ghost story, do you?
- He thinks he can beat me? Pshaw!
- Pshaw, don't be silly. Of course, I remembered.
Dialogue
Person A: I heard they're predicting snow in July!
Person B: Pshaw! That's impossible. Where did you hear that nonsense?
Person A: It was on some website... maybe it wasn't reliable.
Social Media Examples
- (Likely used ironically or quoting):
- Tweet: My reaction when someone says pineapple doesn't belong on pizza: Pshaw! 🍍🍕 #controversialopinions #sorrynotsorry
- Forum comment (in a discussion about historical fiction): The villain would probably say something like, 'Your plan? Pshaw! It is doomed to fail!'
Response Patterns
- Often met with defensiveness: Well, I do believe it!
- Annoyance: Don't dismiss me like that.
- Confusion: What do you mean, 'pshaw'? (especially if unfamiliar with the term)
- Agreement (if the dismissal is shared): Exactly! Ridiculous.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- After hearing it: Why do you say that?, You don't agree?, What's so funny?
- The person saying it might follow up with their reason for dismissal: Pshaw! That'll never work.
Conversation Starter
- No. It's a reaction expressing disagreement or dismissal.
Intonation
- Usually said sharply and quickly, with emphasis on the sh sound. PSHAW!
- The intonation is typically falling, indicating dismissal or finality.
Generation Differences
- Strongly associated with older literature and speech patterns. Very rarely used seriously by younger generations.
- If used by younger people, it's almost always for humorous or ironic effect, perhaps quoting a character.
Regional Variations
- Archaic in all major English-speaking regions. Its recognition might be slightly higher among older speakers or those well-read in older literature.