Abo

or ab·o

[ Ab-oh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural Ab·os.

a contemptuous term used to refer to an Australian Aboriginal person.

adjective

Aboriginal ( def 2 ).

ABO

abbreviation for

, Physiology.

ABO system.

Åbo

[ aw-boo ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Swedish name of Turku.

Abo

/ ˈæbəʊ /

noun

1. short for Aborigine
2. ( as modifier )
  an Abo reserve

Åbo

/ ˈoːbuː /

noun

the Swedish name for Turku

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Usage

This once quite common word is now completely unacceptable

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Sensitive Note

Since Abo is simply a shortened form of Aborigine or Aboriginal, one could easily think that it is as neutral and inoffensive a term as Aussie is for an Australian. However, Abo is as highly offensive to Australian Aboriginal people as nigger is to African Americans in the United States.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Abo¹

First recorded in 1905–10; by shortening; -o

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