What does this phrase really mean? Does anyone have a clue?

[johnrex62]

I grew up hearing "not worth two hoots and a holler", which I always interpreted as not being praiseworthy. I associated two hoots and a holler with "Hip, Hip, Hooray!" which was an outdated method of expressing admiration even in my childhood. Another term I grew up with that had a similar meaning was "I wouldn'g give two hoots for that!" I always figured that the hoots in that also referred to the "Hip, Hip, Hooray" expression.

[Gaffer]

Here's an interesting Hoot (hoop) and holler link.

http://www.yourdictionary.com/telecom/hoot-n-holler (broken link)

[aiangel_writer]

according to my memory farmers once called their livestock and pigs with hoots and hollers, which could have bearing if it is not worth calling their livestock and swine, it's not worth their time. Back in the old days, livestock and the like were very valuable to the farmer.

[Toto1950]

I grew up in the hills of North Carolina with moonshine stills and home brewed beer. Communication between houses was just as primitive. When communicating with each, we had to yell in hopes the echo would carry far enough to be heard. Grandma would stand at the edge of the yard and hoot several times in our direction. Daddy was usually the one that answered her. If she was calling someone further away or if we didn't answer her, she would let out a long holler. If anyone answered a holler but didn't answer a hoot, they were usually further away or as in our case possibly ignoring her. Anyway, that was our use of 'hoot and a holler.'