Hype Is Probably Short for Hyperbole
Hype is extravagant promotion. The word is American and its most likely source is a Greek term for exaggeration.
Hype is extravagant or deceptive promotion. It appears in American English in the 1920s and the likeliest source is a shortening of *hyperbole*, Greek for throwing beyond — exaggeration for effect. An older sense of *hype* meaning a swindle points the same way. *Hyperbole* is a figure of speech never meant to be believed literally: saying a bag weighs a tonne is hyperbole, not a lie, because both speakers know the difference.
- Extravagant promotion. *Media hype.*
- To promote loudly. *Hyped the launch.*
- Hyperbole — the likely source. *Hyperbole.*
- Overhyped — excessively promoted. *Overhyped.*
- American — from the 1920s. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | hype | Hype. |
| Verb | hype | Hyping. |
| Adjective | hyped | Hyped. |
| Related | hyperbole | Hyperbole. |
| Greek | hyperbole | A throwing beyond. |
- The film lived up to the hype.Promotion.
- They hyped it for months.Verb.
- Hyperbole means throwing beyond.Etymology.
Hyperbole and its neighbours
- Hyperbole — exaggeration not meant literally
- Litotes — understatement, as in not bad meaning very good
- Metaphor — describing one thing as another
- Irony — saying the opposite of what is meant
- All four rely on the listener knowing the convention
American English from the 1920s, probably short for *hyperbole*, from Greek *hyperbole*, a throwing beyond.
Where does hype come from?
Most likely from hyperbole, Greek for exaggeration. The word appears in American English in the 1920s.
Is hyperbole the same as lying?
No. Hyperbole is exaggeration both speakers recognise as exaggeration, so nobody is deceived.