Hooray! Hurrah! Huzzah!

Hurray!  Way to go!  Good Job!  You did it! What a good feeling this sends. Everyone loves praise and Hurray! is the best.  A cheer for your efforts.

Ever wonder where the word came from?

There is evidence it goes all the way back to the Crusades. “The saying “hip hip hurrah” is alleged to have roots going back to the crusaders, then meaning “Jerusalem is lost to the infidel, and we are on our way to paradise”. The abbreviation HEP would then stand for Hierosolyma est perdita, “Jerusalem is lost” in Latin.”  http://www.wikipwdia.org

There is also speculation that it came from sailors. I can see the significance of a good Huzza! after hoisting the sails on those clipper ships. Other sources may be the Norse warrior cry “Haer Av! translated as Heads off! Or perhaps the Mongol hordes yelling Huree! with the same meaning as Amen! or Hallelujah!

In more modern times, we hear it at football games, starting in the 1800’s as Rah Rah Rah usually accompanied by Sis Boom Bah! It even occurs in British Parliament as the positive acknowledgement Hear! Hear!

At any rate, we commonly use Hooray or Hurrah for ordinary celebrations.  Huzza is reserved for rowing crews and Renaissance Faires.

So, Hooray for Hollywood.  or Hazel. or the Super Readers saving the day. What are your reasons for shouting Hooray? let me know in the comments.