brouhaha
UK[ˈbruːhɑːhɑː]US[ˈbruːhɑːhɑː]
n
a noisy and overexcited reaction or response to something, typically one involving unnecessary or exaggerated outrage or excitement.
Etymology
the word 'brouhaha' entered english in the late 19th century from french, where it was used to mean a noisy commotion or uproar. the french term is believed to originate from a hebrew phrase 'barukh haba', meaning 'blessed is he who comes', used in religious ceremonies. this sacred greeting was then humorously adapted in medieval french farces, where actors would mockingly shout a corrupted version to represent the sound of a crowd's clamor or devilish tumult. through this theatrical and satirical path, the term evolved from a solemn welcome into its modern sense of a fussy, exaggerated, and often ridiculous uproar.
Analysis
this word is a loanword adopted as a single, unanalyzable unit in english. its components are not productive morphemes within the english language system.
Examples
the controversial announcement caused quite a brouhaha in the press.
the whole brouhaha over the minor change in policy seemed completely disproportionate.
after the initial brouhaha died down, people realized the issue wasn't that serious.