Listen
There's a hullabaloo outside the studio today! But just what is a hullabaloo? Listen to the programme with William and Li to find out what's going on.
These fans are making such a hullabaloo!
The script for this programme
Li: Hello everyone. My name is Yang Li and this is The English We Speak.
William: Hi there. I'm William Kremer.
Li: So what's today's word – ?
Muffled shouting from outside the studio and banging on the door.
Li: Eh?
William: What on earth is all of that hullabaloo about?
Shouting and banging stops.
Li: Ah... I think it's stopped.
William: What was it? It sounded like a crowd of people outside the studio!
Li: I don't know. I'd be interested to find out. But I have to say, there is something else that I'm even more curious about...
William: Oh right. What's that?
Li: What was that word you used just now, William? Hulla...?
William: Hullabaloo.
Li: Oh, that's it.
William: Hullabaloo. You spell it H.U.L.L.A.B.A.L.O.O. Hullabaloo. It means a loud noise or commotion.
Li: Hullabaloo (wrong pronunciation).
William: Hullabaloo.
Li: Hullabaloo (correct pronunciation).
William: Exactly, yeah.
Li: Let's hear another example of this word being used.
- I tried to quieten the class down, but there was such a hullabaloo that no-one could hear me!
Li: So in that example, a teacher's class was making such a hullabaloo that no-one could hear her. Is this word used in any other ways, William?
William: Well, the word hullabaloo can imply anger and disapproval. Can you imagine lots of people shouting because they're angry? Have a listen to this example:
- That actor was so angry with the film's director and producer that he refused to do any promotional work. But then when he didn't go to the premiere in L.A., there was such a hullabaloo from his fans that he had to apologise.
Li: So in that example, a film star didn't go to a premiere and there was a hullabaloo from his fans because they were angry with him.
William: And in that situation, 'hullabaloo' doesn't mean lots of loud noise, but maybe some angry blog articles and some harsh words in the press.
Li: William, I must say, 'hullabaloo' is a very strange sounding word! Where does it come from?
William: Well, no-one really knows for sure. But some people think it comes from people going "Hullo! Hullo! Hullo!"
Li: Really? That's very –
Shouting and banging starts again.
Li: Oh, our own hullabaloo has started again!
William: Right. I'm going to see what they want!
Gets up and opens studio door.
William: What's all this noise? We're trying to record a programme here!
Fan 1: Is Yang Li here?
Li: Hello, yes? Who is it?
Fan 1: Yes! She is, she is!
Fan 2: Oh brilliant! Hi Li! Hi!
Fan 3: We're your biggest fans! Can we have your autograph?
Li: Oh well, I...
William: Oh Li, I didn't know that you had a fan club! Well, I think we'd better end the programme there! Goodbye!
Li: Where do you want me to sign? And do you want me to write something special?
