Booze and boos are two words that are pronounced in the same manner, but are spelled differently and have different meanings. They are homophones. We will examine the definitions of booze and boos, where these words came from and some examples of their use in sentences.
Booze is an informal or slang term for alcoholic beverage, and may be used as a noun or a verb. Related words are boozes, boozed, boozing. The word booze is derived from the Dutch word busen, which means to drink a lot. Interestingly, a Philadelphia distiller who sold whiskey during the mid-1800s was named E.G. Booz. However, the word booze had already been in use since the 1700s.
Boos is the plural form of boo or the second person singular form of boo, which is a word used to express surprise or contempt. Ghosts are often depicted as shouting, “Boo!” Boo is sometimes cried by an audience member when disappointed in a performance. Boo is also used as a noun or a verb, related words are booed and booing. The Oxford English Dictionary states that the word boo only came into use in the early 1800s.
Examples
Of these, adding a bit of booze to your recipe of choice is the simplest path to a softer scoop of sorbet or slice of frozen pie. ( Bon Appétit Magazine)
President Trump’s fate as a booze, beer and wine entrepreneur — resulting from his ownership of the Trump International Hotel in the District — rests in the hands of seven D.C. citizens, all of whom have been appointed by Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) to be members of the city’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. (The Washington Post)
Several audience members turned towards the press pen, lobbing boos and hisses at members of the media as the remarks drew some of the biggest ovations during the president’s speech, according to media reports. (Newsweek)
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