Texas A&M Football
Sponsored by

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

4,718 Views | 20 Replies | Last: 9 days ago by aeon-ag
Aggie Network
User Profile
Private Message
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
12:19p, 1/21/26
Sponsor
AG


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
Reply Quote
7
tk for tu juan
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
12:46p, 1/21/26
Chig-gar-roo-gar-rem
Reply Quote
4
Pizza
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to tk for tu juan • 1:14p, 1/21/26
tk for tu juan said:
Chig-gar-roo-gar-rem


Bless you
Reply Quote
6
SgtBarbarossa
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
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??

Reply Quote
11
greg.w.h
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
2:42p, 1/21/26
AG
I thought it was Canuck, Canuck and was a taunt towards our northern neighbors…
Reply Quote
2
sodycracker
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
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.

Reply Quote
tk for tu juan
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to sodycracker • 3:36p, 1/21/26
The link in the OP has the history
Reply Quote
5
Elephant Ghost
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
3:54p, 1/21/26
This is more edifying than koolaid. Freaking awesome!
Reply Quote
1
Aggie_Boomin 21
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
7:26p, 1/21/26
AG
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.
Reply Quote
4
Ag Tag
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:22p, 1/21/26
Reading all of that made my brain hurt.
Reply Quote
TxAg76
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:33p, 1/21/26
AG

Walker and Texas Ranger approve
Reply Quote
4
1 edit
Dawnguard
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
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.
Reply Quote
SgtBarbarossa
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
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.
Reply Quote
Maroon Dawn
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:33a, 1/22/26
AG
Extremely lame

Gonna keep believing the made up campusology WW1 story
Reply Quote
2
OldShadeOfBlue
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Aggie_Boomin 21 • 11:04a, 1/22/26
AG
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.
Reply Quote
Johnsy3
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
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
Reply Quote
1
Blonde Coffee Beans
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
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"
Reply Quote
1
tk for tu juan
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
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
Reply Quote
Aggie Network
User Profile
Private Message
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:48p, 1/23/26
Sponsor
AG
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
Reply Quote
aeon-ag
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
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!
Reply Quote
aeon-ag
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
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.
Reply Quote
Refresh
Page 1 of 1
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.