Pooh-poohing

The act of dismissing or treating something as unimportant, trivial, or foolish. It involves expressing disdain or ridicule towards an idea, statement, or proposal, often with a tone of condescension or disbelief. This can manifest through verbal expressions like scoffing, laughing it off, or making dismissive gestures. Essentially, pooh-poohing downplays the significance or validity of a subject matter, sometimes to avoid taking it seriously, or because the person doing the 'pooh-poohing' lacks the proper background knowledge. Often it is the tactic of a naysayer and serves as a barrier to open-minded discussion, research or critical thinking.

Pooh-poohing meaning with examples

• The seasoned investor was immediately pooh-poohing the new tech startup's business model, calling it 'unrealistic' and 'pie in the sky.' He dismissed their projections and laughed at the team's enthusiasm, citing market instability.
• When the scientist suggested a radical new theory about the universe, the older, more established scientists were quick to start pooh-poohing the hypothesis, calling it 'simplistic' and 'unscientific.'
• The politician, wary of public sentiment, quickly went about pooh-poohing the rumors of his involvement in a scandal. He laughed at the accusers and mocked their evidence, trying to play off the allegations as unsubstantiated gossip.
• Despite the obvious signs of change, the company's leadership persistently engaged in pooh-poohing the emerging trends in consumer behavior, leaving them vulnerable to competitors.
• Instead of considering his ideas, the committee repeatedly responded to the younger member’s suggestions by pooh-poohing them with sarcasm and patronizing remarks, stifling his ideas.