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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

HURROO, int., n., v. Also hurro, ho(o)rro (Jak.); huroosh, haroosh (ne. and m.Sc.), hurrish (Uls.), hurus, hor(r)us (Jak.); haree (Abd. 1925 Banffshire Jnl. (21 April)), hiree (Mry. 1919 T.S.D.C. III. 18). [hə′ru(ʃ), Sh. + hə′ro]

I. int. A cry expressive of excitement or elation, a rallying call (Sh. 1957).Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 28:
March, muster, cry, Hurro! Down wi' the mass and monkish squad.

II. n. 1. An excited, high-spirited, disorderly gathering, a tumult, an uproar, a broil, a “set-to” (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 278; Per. 1902 E.D.D.; Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Ags.⁶ 1910, haroosh; Sh., Abd., Kcb., Uls. 1957).s.Sc. 1839 Wilson's Tales of the Borders V. 330:
Our puir, thochtless maister has joined thae infernal rebels that are kickin up sic a huroosh in the country enow.Gall. 1901 Trotter Gall. Gossip 175:
A gran' supper an ball wus pairt o' the programme. An than the hurroo begood.Slg.² 1919:
The bairns ran oot o' the schule wi' a great haroosh.Abd. 1934 D. Scott Stories and Sk. 25:
A hid a richt hirée wi' 'im though, the ither week.

2. Ardour, high spirits (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), hurro). Also in phr. like hurro, with animation, in a lively manner (Ib.).Sh. 1886 J. Burgess Sk. & Poems 113:
He [a fiddler] brook inta “Da sailer ower da roff tree” laek hoorro!

3. A smash-up, a shattered state, smithereens. Sh. 1975:
Boy, dey laid yon bottles in hurro.

III. v. To urge on with shouts (Sh., Uls. 1957).Uls. 1892 J. Barlow Irish Idylls 124:
Ody had to spend a considerable time in catching Jinny, as the boys had done their hurooshing with much enthusiasm.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
To urge one on, e.g. by noisy shouting; he hurusd (was hurusin) him to come.