On the Skeptics StackExchange you quite often read users referring to certain things and practices as "woo". What is the origin of this word? How did it come to be synonymous with skeptics?

Understanding the Context

etymology - What is the origin of the term "woo"? - English Language ... Woo and woo-hoo (and variations like yahoo, yee-haw, and yippee) indicate excitement. (Woot, also spelled w00t among an online in-crowd, is a probably ephemeral variant.) 3 I've seen "wee woo" used for all types of sirens, including ambulance and fire: Wee-woo!

Key Insights

Wee-woo! It was the unmistakable sound of a police car siren. — Time Sneak At first I thought it was called wooing/wooed. But then I checked the Free Dictionary: woo (w) v. wooed, woo ing, woos v.tr.

Final Thoughts

1. To seek the affection of with intent to romance. 2. a. To seek to achieve; try to gain. b.

To tempt or invite. 3. To entreat, solicit, or importune. v.intr.