Where did the word holler come from?

The word "holler" has a fascinating history. It's likely derived from the Old Norse word "hǫl", which meant "cave, hollow, or valley".

Here's how it evolved:

1. "Hǫl" was adopted into Middle English as "hole" (which still means "cave" or "hollow" today).

2. "Hole" then evolved into the verb "hollen", meaning "to shout" or "to call out loudly". This sense of "hollen" is thought to have originated from the idea of shouting into a "hole" or a "hollow" space, like a cave or valley, to make your voice carry further.

3. Finally, "hollen" was shortened to "holler" over time, becoming the word we use today.

So, while "holler" may sound like a simple exclamation today, it actually has a long and interesting etymology connected to the concept of echoing voices within a hollow space!