An
exclamation or
interjection indicating that one has smelled a
foul odor or
stink. Properly pronounced with one's
nose either wrinkled in disgust or pinched with the fingers to block the stench. Sometimes written "
Pee-yew" or "
P.U."
"Oh my God, the dog got sprayed by a skunk. PU!"
This expression may be related to "phooey", "phew", or the Yiddish expression of disgust, "feh". If so, it may share etymology with the ubiquitous "foo".