Merriam-Webster's Word Central

October 19, 2009

last hurrah (noun): \LAST-hoo-RAH\
What does it mean?: : a final or farewell effort, production, or appearance
How do you use it?: For the seniors, the state championship game was their last hurrah, one last chance for glory with their team before graduation.
Are you a word wiz?: You probably think the term "last hurrah" came from something that happened last, and that there were "hurrahs" involved. You've got that much right. But what of these famous lasts do you think first gave us the term "last hurrah"?

A. It was the name of a special final cheer at a ball game.

B. It was an old name for the last test taken in high school.

C. It was the title of a novel about a politician's last campaign.

D. It was the final cheer for athletes at the original Olympics.

The first "last hurrah" was a 1956 novel by American author Edwin O'Connor. In The Last Hurrah, a politician named Frank Skeffington announces on his 72nd birthday that he plans to run for mayor for one last time. Because the novel was about politics, the expression "last hurrah" often refers to what turns out to be (or what looks like it might be) the last campaign, effort, or accomplishment of a politician. Over time, however, the term has also come to be used for other kinds of farewell actions, including the final performances of actors and last games of athletes.

Click here to cancel your e-mail subscription.