Well folks! I am impressed with the depth of knowledge displayed in this thread and right glad that I started it but I have a confession to make.

I had supper with my girl friend this evening and SHE said! "OH no, Shirley (the gal who had extended the invitation to her in the first place) didn't say Hootenanny!, she just said hoot!" (as in "It will be a HOOT.") She went on to tell me that SHE used the word hootenanny but that she hadn't meant to.

Now; ain't THAT a hoot?

But, to keep this thread alive, perhaps we could discuss how "hoot" was derived.

I think it is from a description of raucous laughter. The kind you emit when having entirely too much fun.

Like now.:)

CB