answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

The etymology of the word booger baffles scholars. Since it has always been considered semi-vulgar or at least childish, it has been used in few written sources. Furthermore, in the past the word booger has been used to mean many things, and has often overlapped with the terms boogie, bogey, and bugger. The earliest usage of the word is as an alternate spelling of the vulgarism bugger. Booger was first said to be slang for "dried mucus" in the 1892 Dialect Notes; boogie was said to mean the same thing in the 1891 Dictionary of American Regional English. Its appearance in slang dictionaries indicates that it had probably been used for some time in the United States before the 1890s. Both books said that mainly "school children" used the words. By the middle of the twentieth century, both booger and boogie were commonly being used to mean dried mucus. As late as the 1970s, both words seem to have been (relatively) acceptable. Since then, however, booger has apparently become more common in American English. This may be due to its appearance in legitimate print media: Bill Watterson claims to be the first cartoonist to use the word booger in a syndicated comic strip, while Dave Barry has pioneered its use in newspaper columns, both in the 1980s. Rapper Biz Markie recorded a humorous song "Pickin' Boogers" http://www.ohhla.com/anonymous/bizmark/goin_off/boogers.biz.txt which appeared on his album Goin Off. In the sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati, Dr. Johnny Fever was fired from another radio station for saying "booger" on the air (under the premise that it was an objectionable word).

User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 16y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

AnswerBot

βˆ™ 7mo ago

The origin of the word "booger" is uncertain, but it likely comes from various dialects and slang terms used to describe nasal mucus or dried nasal secretions. The term has been around for centuries and is commonly used in English-speaking countries.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How did the word booger come about?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What does the word 'booger' mean?

A booger is a piece of dried Nasal Mucus...You should use a tissue to get it out of your nose instead of your finger but either way it come out...(I prefer a tissue) =P


Spanish word for pick a booger?

pick a booger in spanish is Ahboogter El pickvthey


How do you spell boogar?

The word referring to nasal mucus is spelt booger.


What is the Japanese word for booger?

鼻くそ


What is the English word for kulangot?

booger, snot, or dried nasal mucus


How big is the world's biggest booger?

The world's largest booger is a collection of booger's in a booger ball that weighs 1827 Kg and is the size of a soccer ball.


What is a 7 letter word that means bogies and beigns with a T?

The word that means bogies and ends with a r is..............................................................................................................booger!!!


How would you use the word embarrass in a sentence?

I don't mean to embarrass you, but u have a booger on your nose.


Where can you find a booger tree?

you can find booger tree's up in you nose because i picked mine and found a MOLDY booger, and it tasted great!


What is a booger cookie?

A booger cookie is a humorous term for a cookie that is made to look like a booger, often with green food coloring or other decorations. It is typically used as a prank or joke, especially around April Fools' Day.


Is it nasty if you pick your booger with your finger and you wash your hands after when you are done picking your booger?

yes


Why does it feel like there is a booger in my right nostril for a week but there is nothing there?

You might have a ghost booger.