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Ballyhooed: meaning, definitions and examples

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ballyhooed

 

[ bælɪˈhu ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

marketing hype

Ballyhooed refers to the act of promoting something extravagantly or making a big fuss about it, often to attract attention. It is commonly used in contexts involving advertising or public relations, where the emphasis is on generating excitement and anticipation around a product or event.

Synonyms

advertised, exaggerated, promoted

Examples of usage

  • The new smartphone was ballyhooed for months before its release.
  • The charity event was ballyhooed in the local media.
  • Critics ballyhooed the film's groundbreaking visual effects.

Translations

Translations of the word "ballyhooed" in other languages:

🇵🇹 exaltado

🇮🇳 शोरगुल

🇩🇪 Lärm

🇮🇩 keributan

🇺🇦 галасливий

🇵🇱 hałas

🇯🇵 騒ぎ立てる

🇫🇷 tapage

🇪🇸 ruido

🇹🇷 gürültü

🇰🇷 소란

🇸🇦 ضجة

🇨🇿 hluk

🇸🇰 hluk

🇨🇳 喧闹

🇸🇮 hrup

🇮🇸 háva

🇰🇿 шуға

🇬🇪 ხმის აწევა

🇦🇿 səs-küy

🇲🇽 ruido

Etymology

The term 'ballyhoo' originated in the United States in the late 19th century, primarily used to denote an elaborate or sensational publicity stunt or promotion. It is believed to have been derived from the word 'hullabaloo', which also conveys a sense of noisy commotion or fuss. The word reflects the practice of carnival barkers and promoters who would create a ruckus to draw in crowds, often exaggerating the qualities of the events or products they were promoting. Over time, 'ballyhoo' evolved as a term to describe any form of exaggerated or ostentatious promotion, and it became popular in journalism and advertising contexts. Today, the verb form 'ballyhooed' is understood to connote not just the act of promotion, but also a sense of over-the-top hype or sensationalism, often with a hint of criticism regarding its authenticity or seriousness.