taboo
tuh-BOO
/təˈbuː/
A social or religious custom prohibiting or forbidding discussion or practice of a particular thing.
Refers to unwritten cultural prohibitions rooted in moral or sacred boundaries rather than written statutes.
The story behind the word. Introduced to European languages by Captain James Cook in 1777 after visiting Tonga. The Tongan word 'tapu' denoted something sacred or forbidden due to divine connection. English adopted it to mean anything socially off-limits.
Word relationships
- prohibition: Prohibition is formal and legal, whereas taboo stems from unwritten cultural or religious boundaries.
- anathema: Anathema refers to something vehemently detested or cursed by religious authority.
- accepted: Accepted describes behavior welcomed within a culture.
- sanctioned: Sanctioned means explicitly permitted or approved by society.
Commonly confused with
- tattoo: A tattoo is body art or a military drum signal; a taboo is a cultural prohibition.
Word family
- tabooed (adjective): Declared or considered forbidden by social taboo.
Collocations
- strict taboo
- break a taboo
- cultural taboo
- social taboo
Idioms & expressions
- elephant in the room
- forbidden fruit
Example sentences
- "Taboo is a Polynesian word, the translation of which provides difficulties for us because we no longer possess the concept denoted by it." Psychoanalytic theory
- "Discussing personal finances at formal dinner parties remains a strict social taboo in many households." Sociological study
Memory hook
TABOO sounds like TAB-BOO!—something so forbidden that people gasp 'boo!' if mentioned. A social prohibition that causes gasps.
When not to use
Do not confuse with legal bans; a taboo is enforced by social stigma rather than written legislation.
Fun facts
- Before Captain Cook brought 'taboo' back to Europe, European languages lacked a single concise word for unwritten cultural prohibitions.
Related words
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