whoop
To shout loud, or to thrash somebody good.
Also called whup, whoopin'.
Updated September 24, 2026
whoop pronunciation
/WOOP / WHOOP/
Meaning
Starts as a yell: a hunting call, a ballgame cheer, kids whoopin' and hollerin' in the yard. In Southern and Appalachian talk it also means to whip or beat: Daddy whooped him, or that team whooped us. Past tense whooped can mean worn slap out after a long day. Same word family as hoop and holler.
How folks use it
- “They was whoopin' and hollerin' when the Vols scored.”
- “He just grabbed a switch and went to whoopin' both of us.”
Origin and etymology
Imitative shout going back through Middle English. Rural Southern speech kept the yell sense and stretched it to thrashing and defeating, same path as whup. Smoky Mountain English records whoop for beat, drive, and exhaust. Whoopin' cough keeps the old gasp-sound sense.
Frequently asked questions
Does whoop always mean shout?
No. It can mean yell, spank, beat a rival, or be worn out (I'm whooped). Tone and context tell you which.