BrooWaha Goes Broo this Weekend

This weekend BrooWaha had more articles, submitted by more authors, citizen journalists,  creative types and people pushing the edges than in it’s history.

Don’t go writing, ‘I have a 4 year old marriage, I’ll trade my husband for yours — no exchange fees involved— or something that you could just as easily go and make happen on Craigslist.org or Ebay.’
Me on the new Broo Back Page

What’s all the BrooWaha?

 
 Question: Can you tell me anything about the derivation of the word ‘broowaha’? Ummmm, isn’t it supposed to be spelled Brouhaha?  These are questions that I am asked on almost a daily basis.

 
Answer: The usual spelling is ‘brouhaha’, meaning an overexcited and noisy response, a commotion, hubbub or uproar.    

It can also have a negative connotation meaning an unpleasant confusion.   A more positive alternative is the equally cool looking word ‘hubbub’.

I know the word came from the French word spelled the same way;   as Ariel Vardi, the founder of Broo, told me.     The word is found in French from the 16th century on.  It  was introduced into English at the end of the 19th century.

Originally used in French drama as a noise made by the devil, who cried ‘brou, ha, ha!’.

Some etymologists say that the word is simply a noisy nonsense exclamation that imitated the thing it referred to.   Another theory,  positied by Walther von Wartberg,  is that it comes from the Hebrew words  ’barukh habba’, “welcome” - literally “blessed be the one who comes” - a phrase that appears several times in the Book of Psalms.      It is also used used in Synagogue prayers and as a greeting at Jewish weddings and other occasions.

One thing that I am certain of is that BrooWaha was created by Ariel, a former French native,  who upon the founding of BrooWaha, wanted to connote a place where people from around the world could come and talk,  discuss,  and debate their views, news and opinions.   

It is now officially part of our modern-day lexicon as evidenced by its presence in the Urban Dictionary

1.Broowaha12 thumbs up buy broowaha mugs, tshirts and magnetsIt’s the haps. It’s what’s crackalackin. It’s what’s going down. Based on the name of citizen journalism website, and related to french term brouhaha meaning excited public interest or discussion.What’s all the broowaha!

BrooWaha has turned into the leading citizen journals (used to be “newspapers”) of our time.    Some consider it to the the #1 Citizen Newspaper on the Web.   Authors from all around the globe increasingly contribute at an alarming rate to this online newspaper. ….. and Broo’s and Wahas are popping up all around us.


I like the thing that says it’s the #1 Citizen Newspaper in the World. Because it is.

Ed Attanasio when asked what he wants on his Broo t-shirt.  Ed is the #1 most popular author of articles on BrooWaha.   

Broo to go local in LA, NYC, Jerusalem, Paris and other “hyper” cities

Who the hell came up with the term hyperlocal?

Tonight, at an unknown time BrooWaha is going back to its roots of being part hyper (uggggh) local with NYC, Las Angeles,  Atlanta, Miami,  London, Paris and a few other city specific focused news sections.

More accurately,  Broo will remain Broo and there will be City Specific sections to share news and views from some of the world’s hippest cities.

If you live in any of these hyper city spots.  

You now have a hyper city local home to share your views, news and opinions.  

If you go too hyperlocal,  visit http://www.diaroogle.com/  

It’s for the discerning, on-the-go defecator who is brave enough to use a public bathroom, but still demands a hygienic and private bathroom experience. It is also a community authored database of Manhattan toilets.

Oh man, how much do I love UrbanDictionary.

Here’s their definition of hyperlocal :

“Hyper Local1 up, 1 down buy hyper local mugs, tshirts and magnetsCharacterized by an absurd amount of detractive descriptions about an certain and specific location See Hyperlocal for full definition

 1.Hyperlocal2 thumbs upbuy hyperlocal mugs, tshirts and magnets1) to address a location with an absurdly local description to the point where it is confusing to non-residents 2) to generally address a location with a description only comprehended by the speaker See local,redundancyInstead of saying, “I’m currently living in New York City”, one would say, “I’m currently living on Washington street, near Tony’s Pizza and the Chevron Gas Station” 

or 

One would say, “Take a right near the McDonald’s that used to be aAuto Part Store, then go ahead until you get to that nice FalafelRestaurant, then etc…” In place of, “Take a right, then go ahead 2 blocks, then etc…” 

Using Hyperlocal descriptions will surely confuse other people.hyperlocal local new york city pizza chevron washington 
by Ron Paul is a Twat Jan 9, 2008 share this


So Broo isn’t Twitter, it’s your place to share news, views, opinions and more.   It’s a home for talented writers nterested in improving their craft, getting their writing exposure and sharing.

ps. Oh, and you can make $s too.