hoopla

[hoop-lah]

noun

Informal.

1. bustling excitement or activity; commotion; hullabaloo; to-do.

2. sensational publicity; ballyhoo.

3. speech or writing intended to mislead or to obscure an issue.

hoopla

/ ˈhuːplɑː /

noun

1. a fairground game in which a player tries to throw a hoop over an object and so win it

2. slang,  noise; bustle

3. slang,  nonsense; ballyhoo

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoopla¹

First recorded in 1865–70, hoopla is from the French word houp-là! command (as to a child) to move, take a step

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoopla¹

C20: see _whoop , _la ²

Example Sentences

Thorne said of the hoopla surrounding the series, “I think we got very lucky in capturing a particular time, place and mood. We also got lucky with all the people we worked with.”

From Los Angeles Times

This time around, at the very centre of the hype and hoopla, he is determined to keep his calm and routine.

From BBC

Some of the Beach Boys—especially Carl Wilson—are tired of the Watt hoopla and prefer to concentrate on the group’s music.

From Los Angeles Times

“There was a giant promotional campaign and a lot of hoopla,” Lampley remembered in an interview long on detail and short on regret.

From Los Angeles Times

Striding out to complete pre-match media duties, there was a glint and a grin from the 57-year-old who has dealt with the Hollywood hoopla and determinedly delivered three times over.

From BBC

Related Words

• brouhaha 
• bustle 
• buzz 
• commotion 
• emotion 
• frenzy 
• furor 
• fuss 
• hubbub 
• hysteria 
• ruckus