ha ha

• ha-ha
• haha

Natural utterance first recorded in Old English; compare ha.

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ha ha

1. Expression of laughter.
   • 1387–1400, [Geoffrey] Chaucer, “The Nonnes Preestes Tale of the Cok / and Hen / Chaũtecler ⁊ Ꝑtelote”, in The Tales of Caunt́bury (Hengwrt Chaucer; Peniarth Manuscript 392D), Aberystwyth, Ceredigion: National Library of Wales, published c. 1400–1410], →OCLC, folio 106, verso:

     and cryden out harrow and weilaway
     ha ha the fox and after hym they ran
     and eek with staves many other man

     And cried, "Help! Help and alas!
     Ha, ha! The fox!" and after him they ran,
     And also with staves many another man.

• tee hee
• ho ho

Onomatopoeic.

ha ha

1. used to express surprise or shock; ha; hey; ho, etc.
   • 1488, Jean Dupré, Lancelot du Lac, page 58:

     Et dist ha ha dame ayez de moy mercy

     And she said "ha! My lady, have mercy on me!"