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Haven't heard boo!

Posted by ESC on October 15, 2004

In Reply to: Haven't heard boo! posted by art on October 15, 2004

: : : I remember this expression being used to say that I haven't heard anything. I was curious as to the origin and if I have it correct.

: :
: : Never heard that, but it reminds me of the phrase 'wouldn't say boo to a goose' to refer to a shy person. I don't understand that, either - why would anyone want to say boo to a goose?

: "Haven't heard boo" was not uncommon in the rural midwest US a half centruy ago. Communication in these rural areas was often limited to the US Mail. Someone would go off to the military or college and when asked if there had been any contact the response might be "Havent heard boo". I havn't a clue as to why "boo" and haven't heard the expression for perhaps 50 years.

I can remember an expression: "Wouldn't say boo to a goose." I don't know why one would want to.

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