ballyhoo of blazes Naut. slang.
Also ballyhoo.
[Etym. of first element uncertain, but perh. same word as ballahou (see Amer. Speech (1945) XX. 184 ff.).]
Sailors' term of contempt for a vessel which they dislike for any reason.
| 1836 Knickerbocker Aug. 203 Jack Marlinspike..couldn't get a situation afore the mast of a Ballyhoo coasting-brig. 1847 H. Melville Omoo lxxvi. 295 Steer clear of the likes of this ballyhoo of blazes as long as ye live. 1897 Kipling Capt. Cour. iii. 69 Tom Platt, this bally-hoo's not the Ohio. Ibid. ix. 205 Oh, ef it had bin even the Fish C'mmission boat instid o' this bally-hoo o'blazes. 1929 F. C. Bowen Sea Slang 6 Ballyhoo of blazes..the last word of contempt for a slovenly ship. |