foofaraw
Meaning
Foofaraw means a fuss over something trivial, or flashy, excessive decoration.
Meanings of “foofaraw”
A commotion or fuss about something of little importance.12
- Tone
- Colorful, often critical wording for an overblown fuss.
- Where you’ll see it
- Dictionary.com describes a great fuss or disturbance about something insignificant; Merriam-Webster calls it a disturbance or to-do over a trifle.
Examples
- Original illustrative example: There was a foofaraw over the seating plan, although everyone had a place.
- Original illustrative example: She thought the missing ribbon did not deserve all that foofaraw.
Examples are written for this site to show typical use. They are not quotes.
Showy finery, frills, or an excessive amount of ornamentation.12
- Tone
- Colorful descriptive wording, often disapproving.
- Where you’ll see it
- Dictionary.com gives excessive decoration on clothing or buildings. Merriam-Webster lists frills and flashy finery.
Examples
- Original illustrative example: The jacket had more foofaraw than he wanted, so he chose a plain one.
- Original illustrative example: They removed the decorative foofaraw and left the doorway simple.
Usage notes
- Both senses are recorded. Context tells you whether the speaker means a noisy fuss or showy decoration.
- Pronunciation: FOO-fuh-raw, with the main stress on the first syllable. Dictionary.com gives /ˈfu fəˌrɔ/; Merriam-Webster gives ˈfü-fə-ˌrȯ.
- The origin is not asserted here. Merriam-Webster labels its origin unknown, and proposed language connections in the dictionaries are uncertain.
- All examples are original illustrations, not dictionary quotations.
Origin
Origin not verified.
Sources
- foofaraw, Dictionary.com (opens in a new tab)
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/foofaraw
- foofaraw, Merriam-Webster (opens in a new tab)
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foofaraw