Hullaballoo
/ˌhʌl.ə.bəˈluː/noun
A noisy uproar or commotion.
Did you know?The word’s exact origin is uncertain, but it appears in 18th-century English as a slangy term for uproar, possibly influenced by earlier shout-words like French hulla and ballow, making it feel like language itself is yelling.
Etymological Timeline
18th Century
English
hullabaloo
“A noisy outcry, uproar, or disturbance.”
Earlier 18th Century
English
hulla
“A shout or cry used to urge on or alarm.”
Earlier 18th Century
English
balloo / ballow
“A loud shout or cry.”
Possible French influence
French
houspiller / huler / hulla
“Related shout-like or noisy expressions; exact source uncertain.”
Modern English
English
hullaballoo
“A loud commotion or fuss.”
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