brouhaha

[broo-hah-hah, broo-hah-hah, broo-hah-hah]

noun

1. excited public interest, discussion, or the like, as the clamor attending some sensational event; hullabaloo.

   The brouhaha followed disclosures of graft at City Hall.

2. an episode involving excitement, confusion, turmoil, etc., especially a broil over a minor or ridiculous cause.

   A brouhaha by the baseball players resulted in three black eyes.

brouhaha

/ ˈbruːhɑːhɑː /

noun

1. a loud confused noise; commotion; uproar

Word History and Origins

Origin of brouhaha¹

First recorded in 1885–90; from French, originally, brou, ha, ha! exclamation used by characters representing the devil in16th-century drama; perhaps from Hebrew, distortion of the recited phrase bārūkh habbā (beshēm ădōnai) “blessed is he who comes (in the name of the Lord)” (Psalms 118:26)

Word History and Origins

Origin of brouhaha¹

French, of imitative origin

Example Sentences

So far, though, he hasn’t announced a hearing or even sent a sternly-worded letter; since commenting on the FCC-Kimmel brouhaha, he has, instead, released two more episodes of his podcast.

From Salon

Amid the brouhaha that followed a wild night inside Belfast's SSE Arena, it was easy to forget that Crocker had won.

From BBC

Despite the brouhaha over Hope/Sow #753, officials said there has not been a huge uptick in bear conflict this summer in Lake Tahoe.

From Los Angeles Times

Mangold believes Dylan himself wanted to better understand that period in his life, especially the anger caused by him playing with a rock band at the Newport brouhaha.

From Los Angeles Times

After further review, DeShaun Foster has reversed his stance on one central figure in the halftime brouhaha during the crosstown rivalry game.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fracas 
• melee