It's Merriam-Webster's word of the day for August 4th.

Today's word is H-O-P-L-O-P-L-A. Hoop-A. Hoop-A is a noun. It refers to talk or writing that is designed to get people

excited about or interested in something,

often with the implication that the person using the word does not find the thing exciting or interesting.

Here's the word used in a sentence from the Associated Press.

The stars seemingly have aligned for the WNBA with Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese

joining the ranks of Asia Wilson, Brianna Stewart, Diana Terrace and others.

The League is getting unparalleled attention.

Now the challenge for the WNBA after opening its 28th season Tuesday night is translating the

hype and hoopla into a movement and not just a moment in its history. In French, the interjection Ulais is used roughly the same way as English's

upsie-daysie or whoopsie-daysie as one might say when picking up a toddler who has fallen

down on their bottom to assure them

that their tumble is not a big deal. When the word was borrowed into English

however, it referred to a kind of excited or agitated commotion synonymous with other H words including

huha, hubbub and hallelabaloo. Hoopla later gained a sense referring to hype,

especially of the kind marketing execs cook up for the release of a new product.

Both senses can carry with them a whiff of disapproval.

If you're calling something hoopla, whether it's the bustle of activity around a holiday or the promotional

buzz around a new movie, chances are you want to convey to others that the cause of the fuss may not

be such a big deal.

With your word of the day, I'm Peter Sokolowski.

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