goo-goo

English

Etymology 1

A variety of origins have been proposed:

• Perhaps from a Philippine word imitative of babbling,
• Possibly from Tagalog gugus (“tutelary spirit”).
• Perhaps from gago (“idiot”).
• Possibly influenced by goo-goo eyes, which "was in vogue c. 1900 and may have contributed to this somehow" since early uses of goo-goo and gook refer specifically to prostitutes who followed army camps.

Adopted as an ethnic slur by American troops during the Filipino-American War. Gook seems to be a later shortening; see that entry for more.

Alternative forms

• gugu

Noun

goo-goo (plural goo-goos)

1. (derogatory) A Philippine person.

Etymology 2

From good government. Attested from the 1890s.

Alternative forms

• Goo-Goo

Noun

goo-goo (plural goo-goos)

1. (US, politics, derogatory) A government reformer.
   • 1912 December 4, “Voters, Aroused, Rout Goo-Goo Gangsters”, in Los Angeles Times‎^[1]:

     Stinging Rebuke Administered to Bald Attempt to Grab City; Goo-Goo Clique Swept Off Their Feet by Landslide Against Municipal Freak

   • 1993 December 7, Mike Royko, “Pass the pablums, it's goo-goo time”, in Chicago Tribune‎^[2], page 13:

     Some goo-goos are so relentless in their pursuit of goo-gooism that they become a public menace.

See also

• do-gooder

Etymology 3

Uncertain; perhaps from goggle. Attested from 1900.

Adjective

goo-goo (comparative more goo-goo, superlative most goo-goo)

1. (slang, usually of the eyes) Amorous, affectionate.
   • 1900, “Just Because She Made Dem Goo-goo Eyes”, John Queen (lyrics), Hughley Cannon (music):

     I wants to ask one question now, please let me call you dear, It cost a lot to gain a rep. But I’ll blow the road right here, if you’ll be mine, if you’ll be mine, Just because you makes them goo-goo eyes

   • 2011, Carolyn Moring Lowes, Awakening Avery‎^[3], page 2:

     I have to admit he is really easy on the eyes, but I don’t go all goo-goo over him every time he’s near like most of the girls in class.

   • 2012, Mitchel P. Roth, Tom Kennedy, Houston Blue: The Story of the Houston Police Department‎^[4], page 52:

     A Ordinance to Suppress Flirting, aka “Goo-Goo Eyes” (1905)
     The so-called “Goo-Goo Eyes” ordinance prescribed penalties for men who made “goo-goo eyes at, or in any other manner look at or make remarks to or concerning, or cough or whistle at, or do any other act to attract the attention of any woman.”

Derived terms

• goo-goo eyes

Etymology 4

Interjection

goo-goo

1. (onomatopoeia) The noise of a baby trying to imitate speech.

Derived terms

• goo goo ga ga

Translations

noise of a baby trying to imitate speech

• Russian: агу́-агу́ (agú-agú)
• Vietnamese: bi bô (vi), bập bẹ (vi)

References

• Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “goo-goo”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.

See also

• goo goo ga ga