What does this phrase really mean? Does anyone have a clue? (meaning, dictionary)

[Kerowyn]

In today's Q o'day our wonderful fearless leader posed this question.

"What is your "favorite expression" used in your "neck of the woods" ? "

Ok this has gotten me and well AliceT had a wonderful answer that made me think I should pose this Question to the group.

What is the meaning behind the phrase "not worth two hoops and a holler" also known as "ain't worth two whoops and a holla" as well as several other manifestations.

Now this is a phrase that possiblely came out of the great depression, mom learned it from her parents and just grew up with the phrase never quite understanding the 'real' meaning. I have found out some info but want to know if someone has be detailed knowledge.

Also if anyone else has a ond phrase or saying that they would like know more about post it and we call all try to figure it out with you.

[firefightermom]

My grandpa always used the phrase "two whoops and a holler" to mean a short distance. Yelling distance I guess, since he always used it when referring to his SIL who lived 4 houses down.

Never heard him add the "ain't worth" part, so I'm no help there!

[Granny Sue]

I would take it as "nothing to get excited about"

[Rottnboys]

I found this on free dictionary.com

two (w)hoops and a holler Rur. a short distance. Lexington? That's just two whoops and a holler from here. We're just two hoops and a holler from the downtown.

[Kerowyn]

I found these at various locations

hoop chisler - a peddler of worthless rings and watches

hoop(s) a variation of hoopty an old raggled car

from online Etymology I found these:http://www.etymonline.com/index.php

holler 1699, Amer.Eng., var. of hollo (1542) "to shout," especially "to call to the hounds in hunting," related to hello. As a style of singing (originally Southern U.S.), first recorded 1936. hollow (adj.) O.E. holh (n.) "hollow place, hole," from P.Gmc. *holhwo-, related to hol "hole" (see hole). The noun sense of "lowland, valley, basin" is 1553. The verb is from M.E. holowen. The figurative sense of "insincere" is attested from 1529. To carry it hollow "take it completely" is first recorded 1668, of unknown origin or connection
hoop c.1175, from O.E. *hop, from P.Gmc. *khopa-, a Low Ger.-Frisian word (cf. O.Fris. hop, Du. hoep "hoop," O.N. hop "a small bay"). Hoop-petticoat is attested from 1711. hoopla 1877, hoop la, Amer.Eng., earlier houp-la, exclamation accompanying quick movement (1870), of unknown origin, perhaps borrowed from Fr. houp-là "upsy-daisy," also a cry to dogs, horses, etc.
whoop (v.) c.1376, houpen, partly imitative, partly from O.Fr. houper "to cry out," also imitative. It is attested as an interjection from at least 1460. The noun is recorded from 1600. Extended form whoopee is attested from 1845, originally Amer.Eng.; whoopee cushion is attested from 1960. Phrase whoop it up "create a disturbance" is recorded from 1884. Expression whoop-de-do is recorded from 1929. Whooping cough (1739) is now the prevalent spelling of hooping cough; whooping crane is recorded from 1791. whoops exclamation of dismay, 1925, variant of oops

[Gaffer]

So could it mean that whatever the situation it's not worth yelling and screaming to a neighbor to get their attention.
My Amish neighbors, especially the children will practically carry on a conversation yelling to each other from field to field and I can hear them half a mile away.

[Kerowyn]

That is a neat idea, Gaffer. never thought of that one.

I will say that most often it was used as statement against something normally an object or getting something done. "that's just not worth two whoops and a holler" "all that trouble for something not worth....."
I will have to ask my aunt and cousins to see what they can recall about the phrase. the investigation is quite informative.

[Gaffer]

I'm also thinking hoop to be a variation of hoot and in rural lands derived from the hoot of an owl. Further 'just a hoot and a holler away' being the relatively short distance in rural terms one can be heard. Something less than a mile?

[Gaffer]

Insert Hoot and Holler into a search engine and you will find a hoot and holler a communication system, walkie talkies and the like.

[Gaffer]

A hoop and holla story: I was cutting logs with the Amish last winter when I heard the girls yelling from the house (we were on the outskirts of a far field). Andy, the 12 year old boy turned to me and said the girls want to know if we're ready to eat. I said sounds good. He yelled back in Dutch 'ya we're ready'. The girls yelled again. Andy said 'they're making toasted cheese, soup and home made ice cream want to know if that's ok' I said sure. Andy yelled back to the girls and half an hour later one of them came walking a cross the field with a box filled with our lunch.
Hooping and hollering at work and what a life style - great.