boob tube
English
editEtymology
edit- (television): An allusion to the idiocy of television programming and the supposed audience for such (boobs) and that televisions of the era used cathode ray tube (CRT) vacuum tube displays.
- (clothing): From it being a tube-like garment that covers the breasts (boobs) of a woman.
Noun
editboob tube (plural boob tubes)
- (US, informal, dated, derogatory) A television.
- Synonym: idiot box
- (British, informal) A type of woman's upper body garment consisting of a taut band of cloth around the breasts and back.
- Synonym: (US) tube top
- 2015, Oscar Phoenix, This Hostage to Fortune:
- At the same time, Tara puts her arms into her boob tube.
Usage notes
editThe word used as a synonym for television was heard as early as 1965 on an episode of The Munsters. It was probably in use before that time.
Translations
editslightly derogatory term for television
women's garment — see tube top