bah

Bah is an interjection in English used to express disdain, disappointment, or dismissal. It is often written to convey a sense of contempt rather than a reasoned argument, and can appear in dialogue or narration in literature and media. The exact origin of the sound is uncertain, but it is generally treated as a conventional expression of irritation or skepticism.

In popular culture, the phrase “Bah, humbug!” is widely associated with Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, illustrating a dismissive attitude toward festive or charitable sentiment. Outside this famous line, bah functions as a general exclamation of disbelief or derision in various contexts.

The root Bahá in Arabic means glory or splendor, and it appears in the vocabulary and naming associated with the Bahá’í Faith. The religion was founded in the 19th century in Persia (modern-day Iran) by Bahá’u’lláh, who is regarded by followers as a Prophet or Messenger of God. Bahá’í teachings emphasize the unity of humanity, the essential worth of all religions, world peace, and social principles such as gender equality and universal education. Adherents are called Bahá’ís, and the faith has a global presence with administrative structures designed to support its spiritual and social goals.

Beyond religious uses, the syllable Bah appears in various names and terms around the world, often as part of longer forms such as Bahá or Baha. In general usage, however, Bah remains primarily an exclamation, with specific meanings in cultural, religious, and linguistic contexts.