rah-rah

Rah-rah is an adjective used to describe an enthusiastic attitude or spirit or actions motivated by such spirit. It often implies that someone is cheering on supporting something in an uncritical or overly enthusiastic way.

It’s especially associated with sports. The term is based on the word rah, which is shouted as a cheer, typically by cheerleaders or fans at sporting events. (Rah is used in traditional cheers like rah, rah, sis boom bah).

Example: His rah-rah attitude about the company has prevented him from seeing its flaws.

The first records of the term rah-rah come from around 1900. The word rah as a cheer dates back to at least 1870. It is a shortening of hurrah, which comes from the similar German term hurra. Hurrah may have been based on or influenced by the earlier and very similar huzzah. Huzzah is thought to come from a word that sailors used to shout in celebration. It may derive from the word hoise, meaning “to hoist”—which they’d shout when hoisting (raising) something, like the sails of the ship.

Repetition of the word rah can be heard in many traditional cheers, leading to the use of the term rah-rah and its association with fandom. Applying the term rah-rah to something often implies that it involves an overly enthusiastic attitude, especially one that doesn’t consider any negative aspects about something.

What are some words that share a root or word element with rah-rah? 

• rah
• hurrah

What are some words that often get used in discussing rah-rah?

• fan
• speech
• attitude
• supporter

Rah-rah is most commonly used in a negative way to criticize uncritical enthusiasm or support of something. It’s typically used in reference to sports, but it can be used in other contexts, such as politics and business.

Harbaugh’s intensity and rah-rah attitude wears on guys in the #NFL, especially ones making more than the coach. It gets tiring. #49ers

— Michael Eaves (@michaeleaves) December 15, 2014

Broncos linebacker Von Miller on how coach Vance Joseph didn't use a "rah-rah speech" as Joseph challenged the team leaders in Saturday night's team meeting: "Fringe guys need the rah-rah speech to go out and play. The ballers are just going to play… https://t.co/i3JPs4P26o

— Jeff Legwold (@Jeff_Legwold) December 11, 2017

Since I'm asked a lot: I don't have any issues w/49ers.com or the people who staff it. My issue is w/fans who only want rah-rah storylines.

— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) November 18, 2014

Is rah-rah used correctly in the following sentence? 

We need fewer of these rah-rah pep rallies and more serious meetings.