Etymology

ballyhoo

B3A1L1L1Y4H4O1O1

Today it means: Sensational or clamorous advertising or publicity. Full definition →

Spanish balajú
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ballyhoo · noun, verb1

Uncertain. Perhaps a shortening of the Irish village Ballyhooly, known for its rowdiness.

ballyhoo · noun2

  1. Spanish · borrowed frombalajú
  2. Spanish · borrowed frombalajú
  3. English todayballyhoo

Borrowed from Spanish balajú.

ballyhoo · noun3

  1. Spanish · borrowed frombalahú“schooner”
  2. English todayballyhoo

Possibly from Spanish balahú (“schooner”).

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.