also: ぶおとこ · しこお
noun
Derogatory slang term for an unattractive man. Often used in casual, mocking contexts.
あいつは本当にブ男だな。
That guy is really an ugly man.
ブ男でも性格が良ければモテるよ。
Even an ugly man can be popular if he has a good personality.
noun
strong, brawny man
Only when written 醜男 · Only with reading しこお
Archaic meaning, now obsolete. Only encountered in historical texts or as a curiosity.
古文書には「醜男」を「しこお」と読ませ、屈強な男を指した例がある。
In old documents, '醜男' is read as 'shikoo' and refers to a brawny man.
Ateji spelling using the kanji for 'ugly' and 'man'. Rarely used; the reading ぶおとこ is associated with this form.
Archaic reading and spelling for the obsolete sense 'strong, brawny man'.
The prefix ブ is a slang intensifier derived from 不 (fu, 'not') or possibly from 醜 (bu, 'ugly'), combined with 男 (otoko, 'man'). The exact origin is uncertain, but it is a modern colloquial coinage.