tra-la-laint.n.
/ˌtrɑːlɑːˈlɑː/, /ˌtrɑːləˈlɑː/, U.S. /ˌtrɑˌlɑˈlɑ/, /ˌtrɑləˈlɑ/ A vocal utterance forming a musical phrase (usually ascending) expressive of gaiety or joy; also, a cadence or flourish on a horn or similar instrument.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > vocal music > [interjection] > joyful utterance
tralira1801
tra-la-la1823
society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > music on specific instrument > [noun] > wind music > cadence or flourish on horn
blas?c1225
forloinc1369
windc1374
strakea1425
strakinga1425
rechasec1425
rechasingc1425
recopec1425
seekc1500
mort1555
recheat1575
gibbet1590
senneta1593
relief1602
horn-call1632
call1677
stroke1688
tantivy1785
tralira1801
tra-la-la1886
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward I. ix. 228 Lay on the dogs, in the name of the holy Saint Hubert!—Ha! ha! tra-la-la-lira-la!
1835 T. Mitchell in tr. Aristophanes Acharnians 1099 (note) If the accent is thrown on the last syllable of this word [τήνελλα], it will approach very closely to modern imitative words of a similar kind: Tirala! Tirala! Tralalla! Tralalla!
1886 J. J. Hissey On Box Seat 40 The cheery tra-la-la of the guard's horn.
Draft additions 1993
Frequency (in current use): Show frequency band information
2. n. A gay or showy celebration; hence, a commotion, or ‘to-do’. colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > disorder > confusion or disorder > commotion, disturbance, or disorder > [noun] > instance of
viretotec1386
moving?a1439
reela1450
stir1487
songa1500
pirrie1536
hurly-burly1548
make-a-do1575
confusions1599
the hunt is upa1625
ruffle1642
fuss1701
fraction1721
fizza1734
dust1753
noration1773
steeriea1776
splorea1791
rook1808
piece of work1810
curfuffle1813
squall1813
rookerya1820
stushie1824
shindy1829
shine1832
hurroosh1836
fustle1839
upsetting1847
shinty1848
ructions1862
vex1862
houp-la1870
set-out1875
hoodoo1876
tingle-tangle1880
shemozzle1885
take-on1893
dust-up1897
hoo-ha1931
tra-la-la1933
gefuffle1943
tzimmes1945
kerfuffle1946
1933 M. Arlen Man's Mortality iv. 72 Stanley's quiet dinner was a tralala in honour of a recently arrived German dancer.
1959 P. Bull I know Face xii. 216 For these reasons I try to avoid going to first nights and taking part in the attendant tralala.
1976 Listener 16 Sept. 327/1 It takes..a plastic event like the Miss World tra-la to push the number of adults in Britain watching over the 40 per cent mark.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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int.n.1823