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r/etymology r/etymology @r_etymology · 50 subscribers
Post #12797 3
PU (pee-yew) as in "that stinks"?

Found myself wondering about this phrase, which, circa my childhood in the '90s, was in common use where I lived in New England. This article seems to reasonably describe its etymology, but since I'm curious also about the extent and nature of its usage through the present day, anecdotally or otherwise, I thought I might ask around here. Thanks!

https://redd.it/1wnk6cy
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Mental Floss Why Do We Say “PU” When Something Stinks? Sadly, PU isn’t an initialism for “Pretty unsavory!”, “Putrid, ugh!”, or even “Please use (deodorant)!”
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