Hoopla

/ˈhuːplɑː/ noun

Definition

A lot of excited noise, attention, or fuss about something, sometimes exaggerated or unnecessary.

Etymology

Origin unclear but possibly from 'hoop-la' (a carnival game where you throw rings at objects). First recorded in American English around 1884, it may derive from excitement of the carnival game itself.

Kelly Says

The carnival game connection is perfect—hoopla describes that same breathless excitement and sometimes false promises of winning that carnivals and hype culture thrive on!

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.