halloa

Halloa is a variant spelling of the interjection "hallo" or "hello," primarily used in British English. It functions as a greeting, an expression of surprise, or a way to attract attention. The pronunciation is typically [həˈloʊ]. While less common than "hello," "halloa" can be found in older literature and regional dialects. Its usage is largely informal and often carries a slightly more old-fashioned or theatrical tone compared to its more ubiquitous counterpart. It is sometimes used in exclamations to express surprise or to call out to someone from a distance. The origin of the word can be traced back to Old High German "halâ," meaning "to fetch," or "holâ," meaning "to call." Its evolution into a greeting reflects its use in hailing or calling out to others.