Bronx cheer
- noun
- /brɒŋks tʃɪr/
- Offensive
:
abucheo
- When the politician proposed the controversial policy, he was met with a loud Bronx cheer from the crowd.
Examples
-
When General Jarrel acknowledged the B-2 crews in his opening remarks, a ripple of applause and a few Bronx cheers passed over the crowd for the B-2 crews.
Fiction book (1991) -
The comedian received a Bronx cheer from the audience after a poorly timed joke.
-
And a big Bronx cheer to those who think a craft fair should be cheap.
Blog text (1) -
That's why they called it the Bronx cheer.
-
He filled the kitchen with a Bronx cheer.
Academic text (2007) -
Each of these rejectionist phenomena is a Bronx cheer for career politicians.
Academic text (1997) -
Hissing and a big Bronx cheer summarize the feelings of the 100-odd students crammed into a bunker-like theater.
Fiction book (1991) -
As the actor stumbled over his lines, the fans responded with a Bronx cheer to express their disapproval.
Synonyms
70
5.9
A loud sound people make to show they do not like something
47
1.1
A sharp, high sound like a snake or from people showing disapproval
14
9.1
A sound of dislike made by people booing or hissing at someone
12
8.4
A rude sound made by blowing air through the lips to show dislike
9
4.2
A loud shout from people showing anger or disapproval
2
8.8
A loud, playful noise that people make to tease someone
1
9.9
A sound made to make fun of someone, like a raspberry
How Scornful
Surface Forms
Morphology
Although 'cheer' suggests a vocal expression and 'Bronx' is a place name, the combined phrase does not transparently yield the meaning 'a mocking noise/raspberry'; the sense is culture-specific and ironic rather than a straightforward positive cheer. A B1 learner who knows 'Bronx' and 'cheer' but has not encountered this idiom would be unlikely to predict the insulting onomatopoeic meaning without prior exposure.
Etymology
Bronx cheer may come from the Bronx in New York, where loud crowds would blow a rude 'raspberry' to show scorn or disapproval. That's why today Bronx cheer means a mocking, insulting noise.