bof

See also: BOF, bôf, and bøf

Dutch

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /bɔf/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Hyphenation: bof
• Rhymes: -ɔf

Etymology 1

From Middle Dutch boffe (“strike, blow; cheek”).

Noun

bof m (plural boffen, diminutive bofje n)

1. (uncountable) mumps (contagious disease)
2. (countable) luck, fortune

Etymology 2

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Verb

bof

1. inflection of boffen:
   1. first-person singular present indicative
   2. imperative

French

FWOTD – 8 November 2014

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /bɔf/

• Audio:

  (file)

Interjection

bof

1. so what, never mind, whatever, meh

   Cette fille est mignonne, hein ? — Bof !

   That girl's cute, eh? — Meh, she's OK.

Usage notes

"Bof" is a multi-use word, akin to “meh” in English. It is commonly used before the French phrase "je ne sais pas", meaning "I don't know". For example:

• Qu'est-ce que tu veux boire ? (What do you want to drink?)
• Bof... Je ne sais pas. (Hmpf... I don’t know.)

References

• "Équipe 1"-1999 Oxford University Press