ὄνον [2 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Ass" is from onos, which  means "ass," the common beast of burden. Like the English term, it carries a certain sense of derision in Greek. However, it was also part of many different sayings. -- The word translated as "ass" means an "ass" as a beast of burden. It is also used in humor and many sayings. The effect here seems primarily humorous, perhaps referring to someone making noise in the audience.