_"Hip, hip, hurrah!"_ (Vol. viii., pp. 20. 185.).--No one, I think, who
heard the cheering of the ships' companies at the late naval review can
doubt that CHEVERELL'S explanation of "hip, hip," is the true one. They
are not _words_, but interjectional _sounds_; with no other meaning than
to prepare for and _time_ the coming "hurrah!" When the men are ready to
cheer, the boatswain's mate gives the signal "hip, hip," and then follows
the general "hurrah!" This practice is adopted in public assemblies
for the same reason--to ensure concert and unity in the final cheer.
"Hurrah!" also I take (_pace_ Sir F. Palgrave) to be a mere _sound_: a
_natural_ exclamation of pleasure, with no more instrinsic meaning than
"Oh!" or "Ah!" for pain, or "Bah!" for contempt. It surely can have no
connexion with the phrase of old Norman law--"clameurs de haro:" for
"haro" is an exclamation of dissent and opposition. "Crier _haro_ sur
quelqu'un," is to excite mischief and scandal against him--the very
reverse of _hurrah_!