Hooey

/ˈhuːi/ noun

Definition

Nonsense or something that is not true; a lie or false claim meant to deceive.

Etymology

Emerged in early 20th-century American slang, origin unclear but possibly from Yiddish or simply onomatopoeia imitating dismissive sounds. The word caught on as a playful way to call out lies.

Kelly Says

In the 1920s, Americans said 'that's hooey!' to debunk myths—today we'd say 'that's BS,' but hooey captures the same spirit of calling out nonsense with style and a smile.

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