ˈrip-roaring, riproaring, a. orig. U.S.
[Cf. riproarious a.]
Full of vigour, spirit, or excellence; first-rate; boisterous; full-blooded.
| 1834 W. A. Caruthers Kentuckian in N.Y. I. 62 There was a rip-roaring sight of slight o' hand and tumbling work there. 1845 J. J. Hooper Some Adventures Simon Suggs x. 127 And I seed the biggest, longest, rip-roarenest, blackest, scaliest..allegator. 1884 E. W. Nye Baled Hay 231 He thought..Kirke was there..to give Laramie the grandest, riproaringest tempest of mirth that she had ever experienced. 1905 Dialect Notes III. 64 We had a rip-roaring time. 1906 N.Y. Even. Post (Sat. Suppl.) 8 Sept. 1 When he was called upon to address the conference he got a rip⁓roaring welcome. 1923 Daily Mail 28 Feb. 10 (Advt.), It's a rip-roaring, red-blooded yarn that no man or woman will be able to read unmoved. 1948 Sunday Pictorial 18 July 11/3 A rip-roaring performance by Oscar Homolka. 1950 C. Fry Venus Observed ii. ii. 70 Well, here's a rip⁓roaring gauntlet to be run By a couple of God's children. 1958 Times 3 Nov. 3/1 It was a match in which little skill was shown, but for all that a rip-roaring, babel-like affair of incessant movement and high good spirits. 1979 Guardian 14 Apr. 9/7 Rip-roaring commercial [film] successes. |
Hence ˌrip-ˈroaringly adv.
| 1951 Sport 27 Jan.–2 Feb. 12/2 Their young side..is having a rip-roaringly successful cup season. |