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What in the heck is 'Hullabaloo, caneck, caneck?'

4,716 Views | 20 Replies | Last: 9 days ago by aeon-ag
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12:19p, 1/21/26
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Have you ever wondered, "What does Hullabaloo, caneck, caneck' mean?"

The phrase is found all over Aggieland, most notably at the start of the "Aggie War Hymn."

Some have claimed it's the sound of training running along tracks, or the sound of a cannon being loaded.

While those would be very fitting Aggie origins, discover the truth at tx.ag/HullabalooHistory.

---

Giveaway Time!

Read the story online and tell us what surprised you the most.

We'll select a random winner on Friday and will send them an Association swag bag.
The Association of Former Students | Texas A&M University
AggieNetwork@AggieNetwork.com | (979) 845-7514
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tk for tu juan
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12:46p, 1/21/26
Chig-gar-roo-gar-rem
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Pizza
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In reply to tk for tu juan • 1:14p, 1/21/26
tk for tu juan said:
Chig-gar-roo-gar-rem


Bless you
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SgtBarbarossa
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In reply to Aggie Network • 2:02p, 1/21/26
AG
So the term "Hullabaloo" is rooted in the sound Greek frogs make? Then we GIG them??

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greg.w.h
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2:42p, 1/21/26
AG
I thought it was Canuck, Canuck and was a taunt towards our northern neighbors…
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sodycracker
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3:24p, 1/21/26
AG
I believe I read that the lyrics were written by an Aggie during a battle in WWI.

Caneck caneck was the sound of artillery being fired around him.

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tk for tu juan
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In reply to sodycracker • 3:36p, 1/21/26
The link in the OP has the history
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Elephant Ghost
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3:54p, 1/21/26
This is more edifying than koolaid. Freaking awesome!
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Aggie_Boomin 21
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7:26p, 1/21/26
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Kind of lame origin. We got it from other schools, who got it from a Greek play and we just kept using it longer than anyone else.

Story I heard was that in the WWI trench warfare to alert that they were being rushed by the enemy, soldiers would yell "Hullabaloo!" and then the "caneck caneck" resembled the sound of them attaching bayonets.

I think I'm just gonna continue spreading misinformation with my version.
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Ag Tag
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8:22p, 1/21/26
Reading all of that made my brain hurt.
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TxAg76
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8:33p, 1/21/26
AG

Walker and Texas Ranger approve
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Dawnguard
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8:06a, 1/22/26
AG
I made it this far without seeing anything referring yo momma.


It's the sound of the train visiting yo momma.
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SgtBarbarossa
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In reply to Aggie_Boomin 21 • 9:45a, 1/22/26
AG
Aggie_Boomin 21 said:
Story I heard was that in the WWI trench warfare to alert that they were being rushed by the enemy, soldiers would yell "Hullabaloo!" and then the "caneck caneck" resembled the sound of them attaching bayonets.

I mean, if it originated at the turn of the 20th century it was probably used during WW1. Still works.
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Maroon Dawn
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10:33a, 1/22/26
AG
Extremely lame

Gonna keep believing the made up campusology WW1 story
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OldShadeOfBlue
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In reply to Aggie_Boomin 21 • 11:04a, 1/22/26
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Aggie_Boomin 21 said:
Kind of lame origin. We got it from other schools, who got it from a Greek play and we just kept using it longer than anyone else.

Story I heard was that in the WWI trench warfare to alert that they were being rushed by the enemy, soldiers would yell "Hullabaloo!" and then the "caneck caneck" resembled the sound of them attaching bayonets.

I think I'm just gonna continue spreading misinformation with my version.

Insane how these origin stories appear out of thin air. Someone didn't want to admit it was unoriginal so chose to associate it with trench warfare.
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Johnsy3
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12:00p, 1/22/26
AG
Side note, it infuriates me when I hear people yell "rough stuff, real stuff, Texas A&M" during the Warm Hymn
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Blonde Coffee Beans
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In reply to Johnsy3 • 12:12p, 1/22/26
Johnsy3 said:
Side note, it infuriates me when I hear people yell "rough stuff, real stuff, Texas A&M" during the Warm Hymn

I want to apologize
"I don't care about your feelings OP. I'm not going to let fandom replace reason, thought, and history"
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tk for tu juan
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In reply to Johnsy3 • 3:31p, 1/22/26
Well if they didn't try to cram a **** ton of syllables into the end of the verse, people could sing it correctly/audibly.

Also, sing the damn verse that is about A&M
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5:48p, 1/23/26
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Thanks to everyone who replied and read the story!

The winner is SgtBarbarossa. We'll send you a DM to claim your Association swag bag.

Gig 'em!

Randy '01
The Association of Former Students | Texas A&M University
AggieNetwork@AggieNetwork.com | (979) 845-7514
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aeon-ag
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12:46p, 1/28/26
According to the Nephew of, Pinky Wilson, author of the War Hymn, yelling Hullabaloo in the trenches during WWI meant incoming rounds. Caneck Caneck was the sound of a German 98 Mauser bolt action rifle as a German soldier worked the bolt. Pull up on the bolt and pull it back made a sound similar to Can-neck. Pushing it forward and closing the bolt and putting it in battery made the same sound. Therefore, Caneck Caneck!
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aeon-ag
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In reply to Johnsy3 • 12:49p, 1/28/26
Johnsy3 said:
Side note, it infuriates me when I hear people yell "rough stuff, real stuff, Texas A&M" during the Warm Hymn

It's a little irratating to me, however, I don't have to take a valium over it.
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