[c. mid 20th century?] A taunt or putdown, typically used to indicate that the speaker believes he or she has beaten the listener in a competition or is better in some other way or in a general sense; or an expression of satisfaction that the listener has received some supposedly deserved minor punishment or misfortune (a schadenfreude).

Etymology:

  • Apparently from the longer childish playground taunt sung to a tune particular to the taunt:
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Submitted on July 07, 2010

Additional definitions for 'na-na na-na boo-boo':

na-na na-na boo-booA taunt or putdown, typically used to indicate that the speaker believes he or she has beaten the listener in a competition or is better in some other way or in a general sense; or an expression of satisfaction that the listener has received some supposedly deserved minor punishment or misfortune.
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    "na-na na-na boo-boo." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Nov. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/na-na-na-na-boo-boo_13786>.

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