pish

A child says "pish!" at a plate of broccoli.

Definition

1. Interjection:

   • An expression of contempt, disgust, or dismissal: "pish" is used to show that something is considered worthless, disgusting, or beneath notice. It often accompanies a gesture of waving away or turning up the nose.
   • A mild exclamation of impatience: It can also indicate that the speaker finds something trivial or not worth discussing.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To say "pish" as an expression of contempt: The act of uttering this interjection to show disdain or rejection.
   • To dismiss or reject something with a "pish": To treat something as unimportant or disgusting by making this sound.

Usage Examples

• Interjection:

  • "Pish! That idea is utterly ridiculous." (The speaker expresses strong contempt for the idea.)
  • "Pish, I have no time for such petty gossip." (A dismissive reaction, showing the topic is beneath the speaker.)
  • She wrinkled her nose and said, "Pish! What a foul smell." (An expression of disgust.)

• Verb:

  • He pished at the suggestion, waving his hand in dismissal. (He made the sound "pish" to show rejection.)
  • The old man pished loudly whenever the topic of modern art came up. (He repeatedly expressed contempt for modern art using "pish".)

Advanced Usage

• "to pish and pshaw": To express contempt or derision repeatedly; to mock or belittle something with exaggerated dismissals.
  • The critic pished and pshawed at the entire exhibition, finding nothing worthy of praise. (The critic showed thorough contempt for the exhibition.)
  • "Stop pishing and pshawing every idea I propose," she said angrily. (She asked the listener to stop dismissing all her suggestions.)

Variants and Related Words

• Pshaw (interjection): A similar expression of contempt or disbelief, often used interchangeably with "pish".
  • "Pshaw! That's not true at all." (A stronger or more archaic dismissal.)
• Pish-posh (interjection, informal): A reduplicated form meaning nonsense or rubbish; used to dismiss something as trivial.
  • "Pish-posh! Don't listen to such rumors." (The speaker dismisses the rumors as worthless.)

Synonyms

• Bah: An interjection expressing contempt or disagreement.
  • "Bah! What nonsense." (Similar in meaning to "pish".)
• Tush: An archaic interjection of contempt or impatience.
  • "Tush, man! You know nothing of the matter." (A synonym for "pish" in older English.)
• Fie: An expression of disgust or disapproval, often stronger than "pish".
  • "Fie upon you for such treachery!" (A more intense expression of moral disgust.)

Related Idioms

• Not worth a pish: Something of no value or importance at all.
  • His opinion is not worth a pish to me. (His opinion is completely worthless.)
• Pish away: To dismiss or reject something with a "pish" sound.
  • She pished away his concerns, refusing to take them seriously. (She dismissed his worries contemptuously.)