ENGLISH
REFERENCE

bimbo

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈbɪmboʊ// UK //bˈɪmbəʊ// bim·bo Slang Vulgar

n. a person, usually a woman, who is seen as attractive but not very smart. This is a very rude and offensive word that people use to put someone down.

n. a person, typically a woman, perceived as attractive but lacking in intelligence. Highly offensive and derogatory; used to dismiss or belittle an individual's capabilities.


SIMPLE

He used the word bimbo to insult his colleague's intelligence.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager was criticized for calling the new intern a bimbo during a meeting, which created a hostile work environment.

COMPLEX

The term bimbo is often weaponized in professional settings to undermine women who challenge traditional gender roles or demonstrate high levels of technical proficiency.

Origin

From Italian bimbo (“a child, a male baby”), variant of bambino (“child”). Originated in Italian American theater, attested 1919, as “stupid, inconsequential man”, by 1920 developed sense of “floozie, attractive and stupid woman”. Popularized in 1920s by Jack Conway of entertainment magazine Variety, who also popularized baloney (“nonsense”) and palooka (“large stupid man”). Revived in popularity in 1980s US political sex scandals.

Pitfall

She is a real bimboShe is a real womanLearners may use this term to describe someone they find attractive but it is extremely offensive and should be avoided.

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