Sometimes, a small issue can blow up into a noisy commotion. The word brouhaha, refers to an uproar, fuss, or chaotic situation, often over something minor or trivial
Word of the day: BROUHAHA
Pronunciaton: brou·ha·ha UK/ˈbruː.hɑː.hɑː /US/ˈbruː.hɑː.hɑː/
Also Read
Meaning
A brouhaha refers to a noisy and overexcited reaction to something.
Origin and History
The word brouhaha originated in French, likely in the 16th century, where it was used as an exclamation to mimic the excited noise of a crowd.
It may have been influenced by the Hebrew phrase ‘barukh habba’ (meaning blessed is he who comes), which was sometimes used by clergy and could have been misinterpreted or exaggerated into a noisy commotion.
English adopted the word in the late 19th century to describe a noisy and excited disturbance.
Examples from literature
- Like many usage controversies, the brouhaha over like a cigarette' is a product of grammatical ineptitude and historical ignorance. – The Sense of Style by Steven Pinker
- After years and years of tribulation and controversy, and the brouhaha about the match, Fischer had arrived at the threshold of his lifelong goal. – Endgame by Frank Brady
Synonyms
- Uproar
- Commotion
- Ruckus
- Furor
- Hullabaloo
- Kerfuffle
Published: 26 Sept 2025, 08:00 am IST
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