attaboy
Nice job!
STATISTICS
IN THE PRESS
If Lord Adair Turner, chairman of the Financial Services authority, has received heat for his sometimes controversial comments, today he could take comfort in an ATTABOY.
(Financial Times)
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Fans warmed up a bit to Tiger Woods as his practice session progressed, with some applause here, some ATTABOY encouragement there.
(www.about.com)
(Financial Times)
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Fans warmed up a bit to Tiger Woods as his practice session progressed, with some applause here, some ATTABOY encouragement there.
(www.about.com)
Did you
know?
attaboy
slang expression
- an expression of approval
(Collins English Dictionary)
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In his 1948 poem "Beside the Seaside," British poet Sir John Betjeman wrote:
Look at that little mite* with attaboy
Printed across her paper sailor hat.
Disgusting, isn't it? Who can they be,
Her parents, to allow such forwardness?
*small child
Were a small child to run around today with "attaboy" printed on a hat or shirt, no one would give it a second thought. 60 years ago the world was obviously different. Back then printing an expression of approval or encouragement on a piece of child's clothing could have been misunderstood.
In any case, this expression originated in the U.S. in the 1930s and is thought to be a short form of "That's the boy!".
It's simply a way of telling someone they are doing a good job. It is often used by the military as an informal expression for an official commendation, such as for outstanding participation in a training exercise or combat operation.
The expression "attagirl" is meanwhile commonly used for girls and women.
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SYNONYMS
Great job! Nice one! Excellent!
---
SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation
"Attaboy! If you keep folding those invitation letters at that speed, we'll be finished in no time."
slang expression
- an expression of approval
(Collins English Dictionary)
---
In his 1948 poem "Beside the Seaside," British poet Sir John Betjeman wrote:
Look at that little mite* with attaboy
Printed across her paper sailor hat.
Disgusting, isn't it? Who can they be,
Her parents, to allow such forwardness?
*small child
Were a small child to run around today with "attaboy" printed on a hat or shirt, no one would give it a second thought. 60 years ago the world was obviously different. Back then printing an expression of approval or encouragement on a piece of child's clothing could have been misunderstood.
In any case, this expression originated in the U.S. in the 1930s and is thought to be a short form of "That's the boy!".
It's simply a way of telling someone they are doing a good job. It is often used by the military as an informal expression for an official commendation, such as for outstanding participation in a training exercise or combat operation.
The expression "attagirl" is meanwhile commonly used for girls and women.
---
SYNONYMS
Great job! Nice one! Excellent!
---
SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation
"Attaboy! If you keep folding those invitation letters at that speed, we'll be finished in no time."
