# What is woo? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 18, 2010, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-woo/564622 "2010-12-18T12:17:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-woo/564622/1 "2010-12-18T12:17:26Z")
Other than a courtship process, that is. I see this word used with increasing frequency and although the context usually makes me believe that “woo” = “garbage,” I am not certain. Please help an old man who wants to be semi-current. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-woo/564622/2 "2010-12-18T12:20:15Z")
> [@LouisB](#): > > Other than a courtship process, that is. I see this word used with increasing frequency and although the context usually makes me believe that “woo” = “garbage,” I am not certain. > > Please help an old man who wants to be semi-current. > > Thanks. I’m beginning to see it a lot as well. My take is it means something like magic, or the supernatural, but I’m sure someone will be along shortly to set me straight. ---
**Author:** ![Neidhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Neidhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neidhart)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-woo/564622/3 "2010-12-18T12:42:36Z")
It’s short for “woo-woo”, as in X-Files-type paranormal rubbish or completely off-the-wall conspiracy theories e.g. the works of Jim Marrs. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-woo/564622/4 "2010-12-18T13:09:56Z")
“Woo-woo” can also apply to the touchy-feely stuff – angel readings, that kind of thing – even though the term is derived\* from the kind of theremin sound effect sometimes used in old science fiction movies and television shows. - I don’t know this for a fact and have no cite. I just assume that’s where it came from. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-woo/564622/5 "2010-12-18T13:10:30Z")
So I had it right? “Woo = Garbage?” Or am I oversimplifying? ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-woo/564622/6 "2010-12-18T13:12:04Z")
> [@LouisB](#): > > So I had it right? “Woo = Garbage?” Or am I oversimplifying? Yeah, I think you’re oversimplifying. Woo = _supernatural_ garbage. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-woo/564622/7 "2010-12-18T14:18:17Z")
> [@freckafree](#): > > Yeah, I think you’re oversimplifying. Woo = _supernatural_ garbage. I’d add \*crazy \*supernatural garbage. Yeah, a lot of people believe in UFOs. But people who believe an alien came down, abducted their cow, then implanted a chip in their brain - and then won’t shut the fuck up about it all over the internet? Woo. And disbelieve ANYONE that suggests it means “genitalia”. It’s a tortured argument that is only used to seek attention and provide the opportunity for them to talk about themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-woo/564622/8 "2010-12-18T14:36:39Z")
Woo is any belief that is held about supernatural/ paranormal or unknown/ unconfirmed phenomena that is held to be true or likely regardless of scientific plausibility, evidence to the contrary, or outright scientific fact or finding. Examples would include things like : New Age principles such as crystal healing, Reiki, christian mysticism, angels, demons, faeries, and the like. Junk science like homeopathy and anti-vaccine nonsense. All ghost stuff except those who are debunking. Most UFO stuff except those who are debunking. The crazier end of cryptozoology. Religion, particularly those that advocate the disuse of modern medicine. Speaking in tongues, ecstatic states, out of body experiences, and the like. Some people would also include portions of pyschotherapy, hypnotism, and other soft sciences into the category. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-woo/564622/9 "2010-12-18T14:51:34Z")
I have always assumed that the origin of the term is from the “wooooooo” sound that ghosts make in old cartoons and whatnot. ---
**Author:** ![Hanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b3f665/32.png) [@Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanna)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-woo/564622/10 "2010-12-18T15:01:15Z")
I though ghosts say “boo”? ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-woo/564622/11 "2010-12-18T15:15:57Z")
> [@Hanna](#): > > I though ghosts say “boo”? They say “boo” when they are trying to startle someone. When they are simply floating around the place lending a spooky ambiance, they moan, “Woooooooooo!” I know this from watching Tom & Jerry cartoons as a child, and also from Disney’s “Haunted Mansion” ride. ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-woo/564622/12 "2010-12-18T15:29:28Z")
I’d love to know the etymology, now that you people have me thinking about it. [Skeptic’s Dictionary: Woo-Woo](http://www.skepdic.com/woowoo.html) ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-woo/564622/13 "2010-12-18T15:52:46Z")
> [@Acid\_Lamp](#): > > Woo is any belief that is held about supernatural/ paranormal or unknown/ unconfirmed phenomena that is held to be true or likely regardless of scientific plausibility, evidence to the contrary, or outright scientific fact or finding. > > Examples would include things like : New Age principles such as crystal healing, Reiki, christian mysticism, angels, demons, faeries, and the like. Junk science like homeopathy and anti-vaccine nonsense. All ghost stuff except those who are debunking. Most UFO stuff except those who are debunking. The crazier end of cryptozoology. Religion, particularly those that advocate the disuse of modern medicine. Speaking in tongues, ecstatic states, out of body experiences, and the like. > > Some people would also include portions of pyschotherapy, hypnotism, and other soft sciences into the category. Thanks. This is a good explanation and that doesn’t mean the other explanations weren’t. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-woo/564622/14 "2010-12-18T18:02:46Z")
Woo is the guy who peed on my rug! ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-woo/564622/15 "2010-12-18T18:22:28Z")
… it really tied the room together, dude. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-woo/564622/16 "2010-12-18T18:40:11Z")
I thought the etymology was that it was intended to be an imitation of the kind of eerie or otherworldly music used in shows about the supernatural. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-woo/564622/17 "2010-12-18T18:43:47Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I thought the etymology was that it was intended to be an imitation of the kind of eerie or otherworldly music used in shows about the supernatural. Oh, like that “wooooEEEEEoooooo” stuff? Hm, I can see that. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-woo/564622/18 "2010-12-18T18:56:45Z")
Woowoowoowoowoo!!! became an annoying replacement for “yay” or “huzzah” or even an approving whistle. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-woo/564622/19 "2010-12-18T19:07:47Z")
> [@freckafree](#): > > Yeah, I think you’re oversimplifying. Woo = _supernatural_ garbage. …but the Woo is angry! It must be appeased. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-woo/564622/20 "2010-12-18T19:12:38Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I thought the etymology was that it was intended to be an imitation of the kind of eerie or otherworldly music used in shows about the supernatural. Right, I always thought it was an imitation of theremin music. That’s not be confused with “Woo Woo,” the incredibly annoying Cubs fan. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-woo/564622.md?page=2)