bozo

Several theories exist[1]:

1. Maybe from Spanish bozal, a term used in the slave trade and meaning "one who speaks Spanish poorly", which originates back to circa 1910.
2. First used in American English as a vocative, from Spanish vosotros (“you”, informal) m pl.
3. After Bozo the Clown, a clown character very popular in the USA in the 1950s.
4. After Anselm of Canterbury's usage of the early continental European Germanic-origin personal name Boso.
5. Maybe from French bouseux (boo-zeu), a derogative term for a farmer, equivalent to bumpkin.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈbəʊzəʊ/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈboʊzoʊ/
• Rhymes: -əʊzəʊ

bozo (plural bozos)

1. (slang) A stupid, foolish, or ridiculous person, especially a man.

• See also Thesaurus:fool

• bozo eruption
• bozo filter
• bozosity
• bozotic

• zobo

From Medieval Latin *buccĕus (“relating or belonging to the mouth”). See bucca for more

bozo m (plural bozos)

1. down (on the upper lip)
2. muzzle, mouth (exterior part of the mouth)
3. halter (for leading horses)

• lanugo
• vello

bozo

1. ball