used to suggest the sound of laughter, in expressing variously humor, joy, derision, etc.
this sound
ha-ha
ha-ha a fence, wall, etc. set in a ditch around a garden or park so as not to hide the view from within
also written haha
Origin of ha-ha
French haha from uncertain or unknown; perhapsWebster's New World College Dictionary, Fifth Edition Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Link to this page
Cite this page
MLA Style
"ha-ha." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 11 October 2018. <http://www.yourdictionary.com/ha-ha>.
APA Style
ha-ha. (n.d.). Retrieved October 11th, 2018, from http://www.yourdictionary.com/ha-ha
ha-ha
also haw-haw
noun
A sound made in imitation of laughter.
interjection
Used to express amusement or scorn.
also haw-haw
noun
See sunk fence.
Origin of ha-ha
French exclamation of surprise, ha-ha (from its being designed not to be seen until closely approached)THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Link to this page
Cite this page
MLA Style
"ha-ha." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 11 October 2018. <http://www.yourdictionary.com/ha-ha>.
APA Style
ha-ha. (n.d.). Retrieved October 11th, 2018, from http://www.yourdictionary.com/ha-ha
Interjection
- An onomatopoeic representation of laughter.
Origin
(onomatopoeia).
Noun
- Type of boundary to a garden, pleasure-ground, or park, designed not to interrupt the view and to be invisible until closely approached.
Origin
French haha. French term attested 1686 in toponyms in New France (present Quebec); compare modern Saint-Louis-du-Ha! Ha!. Usual etymology is that an expression of surprise – “ha ha” or “ah! ah!” is exclaimed on encountering such a boundary. In France this is traditionally attributed to the reaction of Louis, Grand Dauphin to encountering such a feature in the gardens of the Château de Meudon. English term attested 1712, in translation by John James of French La theorie et la pratique du jardinage (1709) by Dezallier d'Argenville:
Grills of iron are very necessary ornaments in the lines of walks, to extend the view, and to show the country to advantage. At present we frequently make thoroughviews, called Ah, Ah, which are openings in the walls, without grills, to the very level of the walks, with a large and deep ditch at the foot of them, lined on both sides to sustain the earth, and prevent the getting over; which surprises the eye upon coming near it, and makes one laugh, Ha! Ha! from where it takes its name. This sort of opening is haha, on some occasions, to be preferred, for that it does not at all interrupt the prospect, as the bars of a grill do.
Interjection
- An approximation of the sound of laughter.
Origin
Imitative.
Noun
(plural ha-has)
Origin
From French haha, supposedly from ha! as an expression of surprise.
Interjection
- Expression of laughter.
English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.
Link to this page
Cite this page
MLA Style
"ha-ha." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 11 October 2018. <http://www.yourdictionary.com/ha-ha>.
APA Style
ha-ha. (n.d.). Retrieved October 11th, 2018, from http://www.yourdictionary.com/ha-ha
