Hoop and Holler

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "hoop and holler" means to make a loud commotion - to yell, cheer, or celebrate noisily. The phrase often describes joyful racket, fussing, or good-natured excitement.

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synonyms: yell, shout, carry on, make a fuss

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Sometimes you hear the one with the 't', and sometimes you hear 'hoopin’ and hollerin’'

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Sometimes you hear the one with the 't', and sometimes you hear 'hoopin’ and hollerin’'

Pronunciation

[HOOP ’n HOL-er]
/ˈhuːp ən ˈhɑː.lɚ/

Meaning & Usage

- To make loud noise or celebration (idiom)

Mabel:

Y’all were hoopin’ and hollerin’ so loud I couldn’t hear the TV.

J.D.:

Well, the Vols finally won one - what’d you expect?

variations: hooping and hollering

Origin and Etymology

Rooted in 19th-century rural Southern and Appalachian life. "Hoop" (from "whoop") meant to shout loudly, while "holler" came from the same root as "hollow," referring to a call echoing through the hills. The pairing likely arose from the rhythm and repetition common in folk speech.

Usage Notes

"Hoop and holler" is still heard across the South, especially in rural or celebratory contexts.

Used for both happy and disruptive noise: "They was hoopin’ and hollerin’ at the ballgame" or "Quit all that hoopin’ and hollerin’."
The phrase captures a distinctive Southern rhythm - part sound, part spectacle.
Modern forms like "raise a ruckus" share similar meaning but lack the same musical cadence.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

What does "hoop and holler" mean?

It means to make a lot of noise - to yell, cheer, or carry on loudly.

Is it Southern?

Yes - it’s long been part of Southern and Appalachian English, often used in stories, songs, and everyday talk.

What’s the difference between "hoop" and "whoop"?

"Hoop" is a local pronunciation of "whoop," both meaning to shout or yell.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 13). Hoop and Holler. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/hoop-and-holler
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Hoop and Holler." HillbillySlang.com, 13 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/hoop-and-holler.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Hoop and Holler." HillbillySlang.com. October 13, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/hoop-and-holler.