Definition of "poh"

Oh, poh! they might have been counted some how or other, unless indeed they were so numerous as to require all our people to stand sentinel round them.

1811 May 29, William Cobbett, “Summary of Politics”, in Cobbett's Weekly Political Register, volume 19, number 43, page 1323

Poh, it's from your sister at Lyons, and contains good news: read it.

1856, Oliver Goldsmith, The Works of Oliver Goldsmith, page 69

"Oh poh!" said Benny. "When I grow up, I'm goin' to have a span!"

1877, Abby Morton Diaz, Brother Billy, Dorry Baker, and Bubby Short, page 208

"Poh, poh! it's a mere trifle, I repeat," Tibbits rejoined.

1857, William Harrison Ainsworth, The Spendthrift: A Tale, page 298

“Oh, poh, poh !—her purse, if she likes it better; the little receptacle which my wife and daughters find it convenient for me to keep—well filled—in my pocket.

1873, The Australian Journal

The virtue of the yaller dog is his bark. To hear that bark and not see the barker would make one imagine that he did the biting for all dogdom: but seeing the source one only says, “Poh, it's the yaller dog !”

1873, American Observer - Volume 10, page 492

Lady Anſw[erall]. Colonel, ſome Ladies of your Acquaintance have promis'd to breakfast with you, and I am to wait on them; what will you give us? / Col[onel Atwit]. Why, faith, Madam, Batchelors Fare; Bread and Cheeſe, and Kiſſes. / Lady Anſw. Poh! what have you Batchelors to do with your Money, but to treat the Ladies? you have nothing to keep but your own Four Quarters.

1738, Simon Wagstaff [pseudonym; Jonathan Swift], A Complete Collection of Genteel and Ingenious Conversation, According to the Most Polite Mode and Method Now Used at Court, and in the Best Companies of England. In Three Dialogues, London: Printed by B[enjamin] Motte, and C. Bathurst, at the Middle Temple-Gate in Fleet-street, page 61

Oh — poh ! how do you know I had any call to the dark man - and as for Sally — sure there she's westwards in" the fields ; take her, and welcome. Keep out o' my way now, I'd advise you.

1862 April 26, Gerald Griffin, “Suil Dhuv, The Coiner”, in Illustrated Dublin Journal, volume 1, number 34

“Oh, poh, you're joking now. As if you're s' innocent as all that! I'm not the only girl you've kissed an' fondled.

2013, Winston Graham, The Grove of Eagles: A Novel of Elizabethan England, page 267

Poh, but it's a dull day! I think I'll be off to the races.

1978, Samuel Agnew Schreiner, Angelica: a novel, page 1

Poh it's disgusting, Mr. Caudle.

1851, Eliza Cook, Eliza Cook's Journal, page 327

But if my way were written down and printed, he would not touch it. "Poh, it's bookish !"

1859, Henry Ward Beecher, Plain and Pleasant Talk About Fruits, Flowers and Farming

"Poh, it's all bosh!" Now let us inquire in what States land is the best managed, yields the most with the least cost, where are the best sheep, the best cattle, the best hegs, the best wheat?

1866, John Turner, The American Farmer, page 359

George exploded coarsely: “Poh! It's no good asking mother."

1916, Arnold Bennett, These Twain, page 22