Word Origin & History
whoopc.1376, houpen, partly imitative, partly from O.Fr. houper "to cry out," also imitative. It is attested as an interjection from at least 1460. The noun is recorded from 1600. Extended form whoopee is attested from 1845, originally Amer.Eng.; whoopee cushion is attested from 1960. Phrase whoop it up "create
EXPANDa disturbance" is recorded from 1884. Expression whoop-de-do is recorded from 1929. Whooping cough (1739) is now the prevalent spelling of hooping cough; whooping crane is recorded from 1791.
whoopsexclamation of dismay, 1925, variant of
oops.
COLLAPSE