# na-na na-na boo-boo

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/na-na-na-na-boo-boo
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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).

## Examples

- He shouted na-na na-na boo-boo after winning the race.
- When the rival team finally lost the game, the fans chanted na-na na-na boo-boo from the stands.
- The little girl stuck out her tongue and sang na-na na-na boo-boo because she got the last piece of cake while her friend got none.
- The child could not resist offering a spiteful na-na na-na boo-boo once he realized his brother had been caught breaking the rules.

## Origin

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. (disputed)

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.