Huzzah! and Hoot,man

[Colin]

Ok, so I have heard these expressions on the forum numerous times, but I must admit I am at a loss as to the meaning, history, or origin of either phrase. I Can't say I have ever heard a Scot or Canadian use either phrase, but they seem to be very popular with the US members. Can someone fill me in on these?

By the way, I am not taking the piss, just curious as I haven't really heard these in person before.

[macwilkin]

Random House has a nice article about Huzzah here:

http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/inde...?date=20001108

It was very popular in the 19th century; we used to use it frequently in Civil War reenacting, along with "Three Cheers and a Tiger!" (the tiger in question was a growl or roar -- Hip, Hip, Huzzah -- groowll!)

Hoots Mon! is similar to the Irish "begorrah!"; I don't have the book handy, but I believe Stevenon's "Scoor-Oot!", which is a dictionary of Scots phrases and words gives the origin of this phrase.

Cheers,

Todd

[GlassMan]

My understanding (which mostly agrees with the earlier citation) is that "huzzah" is a rather old-fashioned and peculiarly American/colonial way of acclaiming something. Although I was interested to see it used in Dickens, a reference I had missed or glossed over in my readings.