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big mo

(chiefly, US, informal) Large-scale momentum.

ˈbɪɡ ˈmoʊDocumented since 1920s1920sSilenthistorical166 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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Etymology timeline

Born ~1924 · no dated citations yet
1924BornToday, 2026

Definitions

#1·Apr 27, 2026

(chiefly, US, informal) Large-scale momentum.

The "Maury" show is, to quote a recent issue of Entertainment Weekly, this season's "biggest success story" in syndicated daytime television. The show's ratings are up some 19 percent since last year, and it now occasionally outpoints th…
Origin: . Famously used by George H. W. Bush (1924–2018) during his quest for the Republican nomination to run for president of the United States in 1980. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
For parents

"big mo" means: Large-scale momentum.. This is informal slang, common in casual speech, texting and social media, but not appropriate for school work, applications or professional settings. There is no real cause for concern in itself; it is everyday peer vocabulary. If your child uses it, a light comment about audience and register is usually enough — no need to escalate. Context, more than the word, tells you whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

"big mo" means: Large-scale momentum.. Register: informal slang, fine in casual conversation, texting and social media but not in academic essays, business writing or formal speech. Note the regional or dialect label (US) — usage may sound odd outside that variety. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in a comparable context.

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For specific readers

"big mo" means: Large-scale momentum.. This is informal slang, common in casual speech, texting and social media, but not appropriate for school work, applications or professional settings. There is no real cause for concern in itself; it is everyday peer vocabulary. If your child uses it, a light comment about audience and register is usually enough — no need to escalate. Context, more than the word, tells you whether to follow up.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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🗺️About Regional & Other slang

Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.

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