THE ETYMOLOGY NERD
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NOT A HIP HOORAY

9/11/2020

3 Comments

 
The phrase hip, hip, hooray emerged in English in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries as an exclamation for making a toast. Hooray comes from hurrah, which has, along with huzzah, long been a battle-cry used by European armies with no specific definition. Hip is a bit more interesting. Historically, it's been attested as an interjection used to get someone's attention, and it's unclear to what extent that influenced the duplication. A major theory is that it could be related to hep, hep, which was a traditional anti-Semitic rallying cry popularized through the Hep-Hep riots in Germany, where many Jews were killed and their property damaged. There are many fake etymologies swirling around the internet about this one, but it most likely comes from a herding call for shepherds in the area.
3 Comments
Lord Groundhog
9/15/2020 06:39:04 am

I'll start by saying how much I usually enjoy your etymological insights. Thanks for your diligence. That makes it painful to be writing this comment.

You tweeted:
"@etymology_nerd: The phrase "hip, hip, hooray" likely traces to an anti-Semitic rallying cry ..."

In the article, after mentioning the anti-Semitic theory, you conclude:
"There are many fake etymologies swirling around the internet about this one, but it most likely comes from a herding call for shepherds in the area."

This tweet is the most blatant and deceptive kind of click-bait. You're better than this. Be better.

Peace,
Lord Groundhog

Reply
Adam Aleksic link
9/15/2020 10:30:28 am

Hello,

I believe you misunderstood me. I meant that the herding call was the etymology for the anti-Semitic "hep, hep" phrase. Sorry for not being clear enough.

Reply
Iris Dukes
2/16/2025 03:15:11 pm

Thanks for clearing that up for us all.




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