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haha

/a.a/

interjection/a.a/

ha-ha (imitative of laughter)

Onomatopoeic.

noun, masculine/a.a/plural: hahas

ha-ha (ditch acting as a sunken fence)

French term attested 1686 in toponyms in New France (present-day Quebec); compare modern Saint-Louis-du-Ha! Ha!. Usual etymology is that an expression of surprise – “ha ha” or “ah! ah!” is exclaimed on encountering such a boundary. In France this is traditionally attributed to the reaction of Louis, Grand Dauphin to encountering such a feature in the gardens of the Château de Meudon.