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Ballyhoo
//bæliˈhuː// noun, verb, slang
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Sensational or clamorous advertising or publicity. informal
- 2 Certain species in family Hemiramphidae, inshore, surface-dwelling needlefish forming sizeable schools.
- 3 An unseaworthy or slovenly ship.
- 4 blatant or sensational promotion wordnet
- 5 Noisy shouting or uproar. informal
"Talk, it's only talk / Babble, burble, banter / Bicker, bicker, bicker / Brouhaha, balderdash, ballyhoo / It's only talk / Back talk"
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- 6 Certain species in family Hemiramphidae, inshore, surface-dwelling needlefish forming sizeable schools.; Hemiramphus brasiliensis
Verb
- 1 To sensationalize or make grand claims. informal, transitive
"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."
- 2 advertize noisily or blatantly wordnet
Etymology
Etymology 1
A shortening of the Irish village Ballyhooly, known for its rowdiness.
Etymology 2
A shortening of the Irish village Ballyhooly, known for its rowdiness.
Etymology 3
From Spanish balajú.
Etymology 4
Possibly from Spanish balahú (“schooner”).
See also for "ballyhoo"
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