HDAS: Origin of "hoopie"

[Barnhart]

Jonathan, if you're right about _hoopie_ ~ _hoople"_, then there's a fine
definition and collection of quotes in Historical Dictionary of American
Slang, along with an entry for _hooplehead_.  But, then, I suspect you
knew that, didn't you?

In DARE [Dictionary of American Regional English] there's an entry for
_hoopie_ as a variant for _hoopy_, which is defined as a "hoosier" (more
specifically meaning a hillbilly or rustic).  Most of the quotes show
hoopy as an Ohio term (1 for WV).  There is a support in the quotes for a
"barrel hoop" connection.

DKB

barnhart at highlands.com

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