kibosh
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Alternative forms
[edit] Etymology
Unknown. Possibilities include:
- From the Irish caidhp bháis, meaning death cap (the hood put on someone before they were hanged to death).
- From the Scots kye booties, meaning cow boots (the hobble put on cattle to prevent them from straying).
- (Can we verify this etymology?) From the Hebrew כבש, (kbsh) meaning conquer or tread down.
- (Can we verify this etymology?) Some connection with Turkish bosh meaning empty.
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Noun
kibosh (uncountable)
- (slang) A checking or restraining element.
[edit] Quotations
"Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street", written by George Dibden Pitt in 1842 for the Britannia Theatre, Hoxton, at Act 3, Scene 2:
JARVIS WILLIAMS (to the Keepers of a madhouse at Peckham): "Stand off you cowardly rascals, or I'll put the 'kiebosh' on the whole consarn."
JONAS: "The 'kiebosh'?"
JARVIS WILLIAMS: "Yes, it's a word of Greek extraction, signifying the upset of the apple-cart - so - bunk!"
JONAS: "Bunk?"
JARVIS WILLIAMS: "Yes, that's another Greek word, and means G.O., go."
