Ho Meaning

UK /həʊ/
US /hoʊ/
Word Definition
ho meaning

Ho Definition & Usage

interjection

An exclamation used to call attention or greet someone, often used in a loud or excited manner.

Examples

  • "Ho! Look at that beautiful sunset!"
  • "Ho, there! Can I help you with that?"
  • "Ho, I didn't see you coming!"
  • "The captain shouted, 'Ho!' to get the crew's attention."
  • "Ho, how nice to see you again!"
noun

A term used to refer to a prostitute, particularly in historical or criminal slang.

Examples

  • "The man walked past a group of 'hos' standing on the corner."
  • "She was working as a ho on the street, trying to make ends meet."
  • "He was arrested for soliciting a ho in the alley."
  • "The movie depicted the gritty underworld, where 'hos' were part of the scene."
  • "The term 'ho' is often considered derogatory and demeaning in this context."
verb

To shout or call out, typically used in older texts to denote a loud vocalization to gain attention or rally others.

Examples

  • "He hoed loudly, trying to rally the soldiers for battle."
  • "The hunter hoed from the edge of the forest, hoping for a reply."
  • "She hoed across the village, calling for help."
  • "The old sailor hoed from the ship to the shore, waving his hand in greeting."
  • "At the village fair, the barker hoed to draw in the crowd."

Cultural Context

The word 'ho' has a long history, with its roots in Old English and its use in medieval literature. It has carried different meanings across time, ranging from an exclamation of attention to a term with negative connotations in modern slang.

The Call of the Streets

Story

The Call of the Streets

In the gritty streets of the city, young Charlie wandered, unsure of where his life was heading. He passed the old corner, where he always saw the women standing, their eyes downcast as cars honked by. A loud voice broke his thoughts: 'Ho! Charlie!' He turned to see his old friend Rick waving from the other side of the street. Grinning, he waved back, 'Ho, Rick! Haven't seen you in ages!' The two exchanged stories, laughing about their past while catching up on lost time. Rick, always the jokester, couldn't resist: 'Man, don't go hangin' around the 'hos' again. You know what happened last time.' Charlie chuckled, a bit embarrassed. 'Nah, man, not this time. I’m just here to find a way out.' They both hoed loudly in the direction of a street performer, trying to get the crowd's attention. 'Hey, watch this!' Rick shouted. The performance was a hit, and the two friends celebrated their small victory, still calling out 'Ho!' as if they had all the time in the world.