Brouhaha
/ˌbruːˈhɑːhɑː/noun
A noisy uproar or chaotic public commotion.
Did you know?Brouhaha is widely believed to be a theatrical imitation of raucous laughter or uproar, and it entered English from French in the 18th century as a sound-symbolic word rather than a “normal” inherited root.
Etymological Timeline
18th Century
French
brouhaha
“A noisy outcry, uproar, or confusion, often used theatrically or humorously.”
18th Century
English
brouhaha
“A noisy disturbance or commotion.”
Earlier French usage
French
brouhaha
“An imitative exclamation suggesting uproar, laughter, or a crowd’s clamor.”
Possibly earlier sound-symbolic formation
French
brou- + ha-ha
“A playful, onomatopoeic construction meant to evoke noisy confusion.”
Explore more surprising origins