ballyhoo[bal′ē ho̵̅o̅′; for v.also bal′ē ho̵̅o̅′]
- loud talk; noisy uproar
- loud, exaggerated, or sensational advertising or propaganda
Origin of ballyhooerroneously associated, association with Ballyhooly, village in Ireland: origin obscure
- Sensational or clamorous advertising or publicity.
- Noisy shouting or uproar.
transitive verbbal·ly·hooed, bal·ly·hoo·ing, bal·ly·hoos
Origin of ballyhooOrigin unknown.
nounpl. ballyhoo or bal·ly·hoos
Origin of ballyhooAmerican Spanish balajú, balao, halfbeak, probably of Taíno origin.
(third-person singular simple present ballyhoos, present participle ballyhooing, simple past and past participle ballyhooed)
- ballyhooed adj
Possibly from Spanish balahu (“schooner”).