attaboy
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Alternative forms [edit]
Etymology [edit]
(Can we verify(+) this etymology?) Slang form of '"That a boy"', which itself is a slang version referring to '"That's the way, boy"'. Alteration of "that's a boy!" or "that's the boy!".
According to others, attaboy goes back to the hunters’ language, in which boy acquired the meaning “hunted animal.” attaboy (or ataboy, as it is sometimes spelled, because no one knows the “right” spelling of this phrase) would go back to "a tout a boy!" ("a tout", a call to incite dogs). (Attaboy! Or, The Male-Intimate Affectionate Overtones Questions By Anatoly Liberman, December 13th, 2006)
Pronunciation [edit]
- IPA: /ˈætəˌbɔɪ/
Interjection [edit]
attaboy
- (idiomatic, colloquial) Used to show encouragement or approval to a boy or man.
- Attaboy! That's the way to hit a home run!
Translations [edit]
Used to show encouragement or approval to a boy or man
Noun [edit]
attaboy (plural attaboys)
- A cry of "attaboy"; an accolade.
- 2007 June 30, David M. Halbfinger, “How a Fan of Comic Books Transformed Himself Into a Hollywood Player”, New York Times:
- LOS ANGELES, June 29 — Drink in hand, attaboys coming at him from every direction, Tom DeSanto was living the fanboy dream.
- 2007 June 30, David M. Halbfinger, “How a Fan of Comic Books Transformed Himself Into a Hollywood Player”, New York Times:
