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foofaraw

/ˈfufəˌrɔ/
IPA guide

A foofaraw is a big fuss over something trivial, like a heated argument about which way to hang the toilet paper, or an overly fancy decoration that doesn't suit the scenery.

The word foofaraw likely originated in the American West in the 19th century. It may have evolved from the Spanish fanfarria, meaning "fanfare," or the French froufrou, an originally onomatopoeic word for the rustling of women's fancy skirts, now used to describe very fancy or showy things. Similarly, foofaraw is often used to describe an excessive amount of ornate decoration or anything that’s all flash and little substance. By extension, it also refers to a big fuss created by blowing minor details out of proportion.

Definitions of foofaraw
  1. noun
    a confused disturbance far greater than its cause merits
    synonyms: brouhaha
    see moresee less
    type of:
    furor, furore
    a sudden outburst (as of protest)
  2. noun
    excessive or showy decoration
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