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ballyhoo. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
ballyhoo, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
ballyhoo in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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English
Pronunciation
Etymology 1
Unknown. Probably an expressive gibberish word.
Noun
ballyhoo (plural ballyhoos)
- Sensational or clamorous advertising or publicity.
- Noisy shouting or uproar.
1981, “Elephant Talk”, in Discipline, performed by King Crimson:Talk, it's only talk / Babble, burble, banter / Bicker, bicker, bicker / Brouhaha, balderdash, ballyhoo / It's only talk / Back talk
Derived terms
Translations
sensational or clamorous advertising or publicity
Verb
ballyhoo (third-person singular simple present ballyhoos, present participle ballyhooing, simple past and past participle ballyhooed)
- To sensationalize or make grand claims.
1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Fireside Chat (7 May):Industry has picked up, railroads are carrying more freight, farm prices are better, but I am not going to indulge in issuing proclamations of over-enthusiastic assurance. We cannot ballyhoo ourselves back to prosperity.
Translations
to sensationalize or make grand claims
Etymology 2
From Spanish balajú.
Noun
ballyhoo (plural ballyhoos)
- Certain species in family Hemiramphidae, inshore, surface-dwelling needlefish forming sizeable schools.
- Hemiramphus brasiliensis
Translations
Etymology 3
Possibly from Spanish balahú (“schooner”).
Noun
ballyhoo (plural ballyhoos)
- An unseaworthy or slovenly ship.
References