brouhaha

American  

[broo-hah-hah, broo-hah-hah, broo-hah-hah] / ˈbru hɑˌhɑ, ˌbru hɑˈhɑ, bruˈhɑ hɑ /

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 British  

/ ˈbruːhɑːhɑː /

noun

1. a loud confused noise; commotion; uproar

---

Etymology

Origin of brouhaha

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)

Example Sentences

Since then, however, and even before this latest brouhaha, the shares have begun to struggle.

From MarketWatch

Three days ago Harding also responded to the brouhaha, posting her own video on Instagram in an attempt to bring some clarity following Roan’s statement.

From Los Angeles Times

This is something far more daffy and useless: The brouhaha over unrequited affections between Seattle Mariners at the World Baseball Classic.

From The Wall Street Journal

I imagine there will be a ballet/opera joke or two, though that brouhaha occurred after voting closed so if Chalamet does not win, no hate should be directed at the Royal Opera company.

From Los Angeles Times

With the Greenland brouhaha sidelined for now, investors can look ahead to a big week of earnings as about a fifth of S&P 500 companies will report, including four of the Magnificent Seven.

From Barron's

Related Words

• fracas
• melee