“Dodo” usually means something or someone that is old-fashioned, outdated, or no longer useful. It can also refer to the dodo bird, a flightless bird that became extinct long ago.
In everyday English, people often use “dodo” in a playful or insulting way to describe someone who seems slow, confused, or not up to date. For example, someone might say, “Don’t be such a dodo,” meaning “Don’t act silly” or “Don’t be so clueless.”
Meaning & Usage
The word has two common uses. First, it can mean the extinct bird. Second, in informal speech, it can describe a person who is acting foolishly or is behind the times. The second use is more common in casual conversation.
Examples
“He still uses that old phone? What a dodo.”
“Don’t be a dodo — the answer is right there.”
“The dodo is one of the best-known extinct animals.”
Is “dodo” rude?
It can be mildly rude, but often it sounds joking rather than serious. The tone depends on how it is said.
Does “dodo” always mean a person?
No. It can also mean the extinct bird. In modern speech, though, people often use it to describe a person in a joking way.
Where did the word come from?
It comes from the name of the dodo bird, and later became a slang word for someone seen as foolish or outdated.
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