I. ˈbalēˌhü, -li- noun
( -s )
Etymology: origin unknown
1. : an attention-getting demonstration or talk (as by a barker) to arouse interest in an entertainment
a stunt of sticking a trick knife through one arm to attract a crowd and then starting his ballyhoo — F.B.Gipson
2.
a. : publicity characterized by exaggeration, gross flamboyant display, or excessive sensationalism
a good deal of ballyhoo for safer driving
burlesque … election campaign tactics and advertising ballyhoo — W.R.Frye
b. : empty or false talk : nonsense
every face powder must claim a “scientific” uniqueness, and by this ballyhoo millions are impressed — Ruth Benedict
this claim cannot be dismissed as mere … ballyhoo — L.G.Pine
Synonyms: see publicity
II. “ sometimes ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ transitive verb
( ballyhooed ; ballyhooed ; ballyhooing ; ballyhoos )
1. : to direct ballyhoo at
ballyhoo the crowd with songs and speeches
ballyhoo the public with false advertising
2. : to drum up interest in by means of ballyhoo : publicize
gladiatorial meets were ballyhooed on the walls of ancient Rome — Dun's Review
new cars carry on their bodies a shield or some such insigne ballyhooing the dealer from whom they were bought — New Yorker
III. noun
also bal·ly·hu ˈbalēˌhü, -li-
( -s )
Etymology: by folk etymology from American Spanish balajú
: halfbeak ; especially : either of two common tropical American halfbeaks ( Hemiramphus braziliensis and Hyporamphus unifasciatus ) much used for bait