Boo to a Goose?

[smudge]

I wonder where this originates from?

[Quizmonster]

Because of the supposed stupidity of the bird of that name, the word 'goose' has meant a simpleton since the 1500s. The word 'boo' in this context is the sudden, loud version of it...the one adults sometimes use to surprise or 'frighten' children...rather than the disapproving anti-cheering version. So, 'saying boo to a goose' - whether human or avian - is about the least brave thing one could imagine doing and, as a result, very shy people are accused of being unable to do even that.

[smudge]

Thank you for yet another brilliant answer Quizzy.

[ursula62]

Although Quizmonster's explanation is correct as far as the etymology of the expression goes, whoever used the expression in the first place was a bit dim, because in actual fact geese can be quite vicious creatures - they were used instead of guard dogs in Roman times.

[smudge]

You're right there ursula - only yesterday we were out shopping & feeding the ducks, etc. The geese were being really boisterous little devils, so I can see why they were used instead of guard dogs, many moons ago!

[Quizmonster]

I rather suspect the 'bravery and 'guard-doggery' qualities of geese applies only in the plural and only territorially. A solitary goose - as in the saying being discussed - is probably just the silly thing people clearly imagined it to be. Things may be different when protecting eggs or young perhaps, but I don't think you'd have much to fear from a single female in a field! Perhaps the originator of the phrase wasn't so dim after all?