"X is a hoot!"
"The set of 'X' being a hoot has a non-zero population."
Several years ago my dad, who is not a dog- (or even an animal-) lover, said to our (now deceased) dog, "Dog, you're a hoot." Which AB always has found amusing (the dog was, in fact, pretty funny), but I'm not sure it was any harbinger of that phrase rising in popularity.
I think I know where she got it, too.
Oh my God. Do you mean.... Your mom. My dad. Hooting together?
Sister!
Saying something is a hoot feels very Midwest to me. My Chicago-born-and-raised-and-still-living-there grandma's probably said that a million times.
I don't know if it was related, but the phrase was used to great effect in Boston Legal. Alan Shore had a rival from Texas who always called Alan a "hoot" as politespeak "an insufferable SOB" and Alan would fire back with the word, dripping with condescension. It was good stuff.
I say it.
Conclusive proof that it is not the next big thing.
I SAID IT TO ME GAL, AND NOW ME GAL'S ME WIFE!
My dad says that all the time; I'd be surprised if the phrase were modrin.
Also, the OED cites this use of the word going back to 1942.
Commonly used by my late mother (1925-2002). No idea when it crossed the ditch (1945?).
Stanley -- you're a south-sider, right? I have a south-side Chicago friend who's been saying that for 20 years.
I think I know where she got it
Sarah Palin?
I'd be surprised if the phrase were modrin.
I know. That's why I said it was new-to-her. I'm saying it's making a comeback. Like "what-not".
Stanley -- you're a south-sider, right?
Yep. Maybe your friend's…my grandma!