COOTIE Definition & Meaning

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cootie

or ��Ǵǳ�·��

[ koo-tee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Informal.

plural cooties.

a louse, especially one affecting humans, as the body louse, head louse, or pubic louse.
a child's term for an imaginary germ or disease that one can catch by touching a person who is disliked or socially avoided:
The girls at camp thought the boys had cooties.

cootie

or ��Ǵǳ�·��

[ koo-tee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Scot.

a wooden container, especially a wooden bowl, for storing or serving food or drink.

cootie

/ ˈ��ː��ɪ /

noun

a slang name for the body louse Also called (NZ)kutu See louse

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of cootie¹

First recorded in 1910–15; of disputed origin; perhaps from Malay kutu “louse” (akin to Chamorro hutu, Hawaiian 'uku, Maori kutu, Tagalog kuto ), with final syllable conformed to -ie; perhaps an elaboration of obsolete coot “louse,” after coot ( def ) (compare as lousy as a coot “infested with lice”)

Origin of cootie²

First recorded in 1775–85; variant of Scots cood, of uncertain origin

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of cootie¹

C20: perhaps from Malay or Māori kutu louse

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

On its surface, it was mostly a bunch of young gamers having a year-long tantrum because they didn't want women getting girl cooties on their video games.

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So instead, he's leaning hard into the "girl cooties" argument of CFPB, tweeting invective at Warren and calling her "Senator Karen," in case the sexist implications weren't blunt enough.

From

They walked past me as if I had cooties, or stared with disdain from inside the restaurant like I was a chupacabra.

From

There were even ads for the documentary of her "Eras" tour this summer, rubbing girl cooties all over the NFL, at least in right wing eyes.

From

The racist commentary concerns me more than the “boys have cooties” kind of comments.

From

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