po-faced
English
editEtymology
editUncertain, probably from po, abbreviated slang based on French pot de chambre (“chamber pot”), after the distasteful expression anyone would adopt upon being presented with a full one. Perhaps similarly from pooh; perhaps influenced by poker-faced. Also possibly “poor-faced”.[1]
Pronunciation
editAdjective
editpo-faced (comparative more po-faced, superlative most po-faced)
- (British) Wearing a particularly stern and disapproving expression; humourless; priggish. [from 1930s]
- (British) Poker-faced.
Derived terms
editTranslations
editwearing a particularly stern and disapproving expression
References
edit- ^ Michael Quinion (1996–2024) “Po-faced”, in World Wide Words.