was wotd|2006|June|15
English
Etymology
From Poo-Bah, a comic character in the w:Gilbert and Sullivan|Gilbert & Sullivan operetta The Mikado.
Pronunciation
IPA|/�pu�b��/
audio|en-us-poobah.ogg|Audio (US)
Alternative spellings
poo-bah
Poo-Bah
Noun
en-noun
#A person holding multiple offices or positions of power, all at the same time.
Quotations
1885 � w:Gilbert and Sullivan|Gilbert & Sullivan, s:The_Mikado|The Mikado
:It is consequently my degrading duty to serve this upstart as First Lord of the Treasury, Lord Chief Justice, Commander-in-Chief, Lord High Admiral, Master of the Buckhounds, Groom of the Back Stairs, Archbishop of Titipu, and Lord Mayor, both acting and elect, all rolled into one. And at a salary! A Poo-Bah paid for his services!
Derived terms
grand poobah
ru:poobah
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