Definition
A taunt or putdown, typically used to indicate that the speaker believes he or she has beaten the listener in a competition or is better in some other way or in a general sense; or an expression of satisfaction that the listener has received some supposedly deserved minor punishment or misfortune (that is to say, schadenfreude).
Origins
Apparently from the longer childish playground taunt sung to a tune particular to the taunt: : I'm better than you, : na-na, na-na, boo-boo, : stick your head in doo-doo. Na-na and boo-boo may be imitations of sounds a baby or young toddler might make. Boo-boo may also indicate boo-boo, a minor injury which leaves a mark on a child such as a scraped knee.
In Context
- "... is that the educators out there aren't aware of this, they don't know it or what? Ms. Bolinger. It's like na na na na boo boo, make me do it. [Laughter.] ..."
- "[Translator's note by David R. Slavitt] ...here is to make clear that this is a display of Schadenfreude, an elegant cocking of the snooks, a protracted "Na-na, na-na, boo-boo," a symphonic Bronx cheer!"