
Baba Booey is a phrase that has become synonymous with golf tournaments, often shouted by spectators after a player's swing. Its origin can be traced back to Howard Stern's radio show, where it was derived from the nickname of the show's producer, Gary Dell'Abate. The phrase Baba Booey specifically came about when Dell'Abate mispronounced the name Baba Looey, a character from the cartoon Quick Draw McGraw, during a discussion on the show in 1990. Since then, it has become a catchphrase for fans of the show and has made its way into pop culture, including golf tournaments, where it is now a staple.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | The phrase "Baba Booey" originated on the Howard Stern Show in 1990 when executive producer Gary Dell'Abate mispronounced the name of Quick Draw McGraw's sidekick, Baba Looey, as "Baba Booey" |
| Usage in Golf | "Baba Booey" is often shouted by spectators at golf tournaments, alongside other phrases like "mashed potatoes", "get in the hole", and "you're the man" |
| Popularity | The phrase has become a staple on golf courses and is considered part of the game by some |
| Reaction | Some golfers and spectators find the phrase annoying and disruptive, while others find it funny and entertaining |
| Impact | The PGA Tour has struggled to address the issue, as it occurs after players' swings and is difficult to police |
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What You'll Learn

The origin of 'baba booey'
The phrase "baba booey" is often shouted by fans at golf tournaments and has become a staple on golf courses. The phrase originated on The Howard Stern Show, a popular radio show, on July 26, 1990. During the show, executive producer Gary Dell'Abate, also known as Baba Booey, discussed the cartoon Quick Draw McGraw and, in an attempt to say Baba Looey (the name of McGraw’s sidekick), Dell'Abate misspoke, creating the phrase "baba booey."
The cast of the Stern Show, in typical fashion, began to poke fun at Dell'Abate's mistake, especially since he was considering purchasing a cel of the character without knowing the correct name. However, Dell'Abate took the joke in stride, and the phrase "baba booey" became a catchphrase for fans of the show. The phrase even made its way into pop culture history when a prank caller used it during a live ABC News broadcast of the O. J. Simpson police chase. Sportscaster Al Michaels, who was also a guest on the Stern Show, explained the significance of the phrase to anchor Peter Jennings.
Over time, the phrase "baba booey" made its way onto the golf course, with fans yelling it after a long drive or during tee shots. Howard Stern himself was surprised by the popularity of the phrase, wondering if people were yelling it without knowing the origin. The Stern Show even created montages of "baba booey bombs" yelled during golf tournaments, airing them as a regular segment on Monday mornings.
Today, "baba booey" has become a part of golf culture, with some golfers and fans finding it entertaining, while others find it annoying and disruptive. Whether loved or hated, "baba booey" has certainly left its mark on the world of golf, becoming a well-known phrase shouted by fans at tournaments.
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Why is it yelled at golf tournaments?
"Baba Booey" is a phrase that originated on the Howard Stern radio show. During a prank phone call, executive producer Gary Dell'Abate mispronounced the name "Baba Looey", a character from the cartoon Quick Draw McGraw. The phrase eventually made its way to golf courses, becoming a staple at tournaments and coining the term "Baba Booey Bombs".
The tradition of yelling "Baba Booey" at golf tournaments began with Howard Stern's radio show. The phrase, which is now part of pop culture history, was embraced by Stern and his team, who created montages of "Baba Booey Bombs" yelled during golf tournaments and aired them on Monday mornings as a regular segment. Over time, the phrase became so popular that some people started yelling it at golf tournaments without knowing its origin, simply because they thought it was something you do.
While some find the phrase funny and entertaining, others find it annoying and disruptive. Some golfers and fans have expressed their dislike for the phrase, considering it a distraction and an attention-seeking tactic. There have even been calls for those yelling it to be ejected from tournaments. However, the phrase has brought attention to the game and attracted new fans, with some golfers finding it amusing.
The yelling of "Baba Booey" at golf tournaments can be seen as a form of audience participation and an attempt to bring excitement and noise to the game. It has become a part of golf culture, with some golfers and fans embracing it as a tradition, while others find it monotonous and inane. Ultimately, it is a phrase that has carved its way into the history of golf and continues to be a part of the sport's culture, for better or worse.
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Reaction of golfers to the phrase
The phrase "Baba Booey" is often shouted by spectators at golf tournaments, and it has sparked mixed reactions from golfers. Some golfers have expressed annoyance and frustration towards individuals who yell "Baba Booey" during tournaments. They perceive these shout-outs as interruptions that can influence their performance and distract them during their backswing. Some golfers even advocate for removing these individuals from the tournament grounds.
However, there are also golfers who have a more neutral stance on the matter. They acknowledge that while the shouts may be attention-grabbing, they do not necessarily interfere with their ability to play. These golfers believe that the tradition adds a unique element to the game and helps to attract new fans, thanks to the association with Howard Stern.
The phrase "Baba Booey" has its roots in pop culture, specifically the Howard Stern radio show. It was coined by Stern's executive producer, Gary Dell'Abate, during a discussion about the cartoon "Quick Draw McGraw." Over time, it became a staple at golf tournaments, with Stern himself acknowledging its prevalence.
Some golfers and spectators have expressed their dislike for the phrase, considering it a nuisance and an unnecessary disruption to the game. They view the individuals who shout "Baba Booey" as seeking attention and attempting to insert themselves into the event. This has led to suggestions of countermeasures, such as shouting the phrase back at the perpetrators or using golf clubs to make a point.
Overall, the reaction of golfers to the phrase "Baba Booey" varies. While some find it amusing and a harmless part of the game's culture, others view it as an annoying distraction that takes away from the seriousness of the sport. The debate surrounding "Baba Booey" highlights the diverse preferences and perspectives within the golfing community.
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'Baba Booey' as a nickname
"Baba Booey" is a nickname for Gary Dell'Abate, the executive producer of the Howard Stern Show and a self-proclaimed golf fan. The nickname originated from the show itself, when Dell'Abate mispronounced the name of Quick Draw McGraw's sidekick, Baba Looey, as "Baba Booey". The rest of the cast teased him relentlessly for this mistake, but the name stuck, and Dell'Abate is still referred to as Baba Booey to this day.
The phrase "Baba Booey" has become a catchphrase for fans of the Howard Stern Show. It is often used during prank calls to live television or radio broadcasts. Eventually, the phrase made its way onto the golf course, where it is now commonly shouted by spectators, particularly after a long drive. The phrase has even been described as having carved its way into history and becoming a staple on golf courses.
While some people find the phrase funny and entertaining, others find it annoying and disruptive. Some golfers and spectators have expressed frustration with people shouting "Baba Booey" during golf tournaments, considering it disrespectful and distracting. There have even been suggestions of using golf clubs to hit those who yell the phrase during games.
The Howard Stern Show has embraced the phrase "Baba Booey" and its association with golf. The show has created montages of "Baba Booey Bombs", showcasing instances where the phrase was yelled during golf tournaments, and aired them as a regular segment. Stern himself has acknowledged the impact of the phrase on golf culture, speculating that it may become a lasting legacy.
In conclusion, "Baba Booey" as a nickname for Gary Dell'Abate has inadvertently led to the widespread use of the phrase in pop culture, particularly in the context of golf. Whether loved or hated, "Baba Booey" has certainly left its mark on the sport, with spectators continuing to shout the phrase during tournaments and Stern predicting its endurance for years to come.
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'Baba Booey' in pop culture
The phrase "Baba Booey" was first accidentally uttered on The Howard Stern Show on July 26, 1990, by Gary Dell'Abate, the show's executive producer. The phrase came about when Dell'Abate misstated the name of Quick Draw McGraw's sidekick, Baba Looey, as "Baba Booey". The cast, as is typical of the show, "goofed" on his mistake, and the nickname stuck.
The phrase has since become a catchphrase for fans of the show and is often used during prank calls to live television or radio broadcasts. For example, during the low-speed police chase of O.J. Simpson, a prank caller to ABC News signed off with "And Baba Booey to y'all!". During the 2012 Olympics, freestyle wrestler Jake Herbert yelled "Baba Booey" as the camera panned over Team USA during the opening ceremony. The phrase has also appeared in numerous songs, films, and TV series.
The phrase has also become a popular meme, especially on TikTok, where users apply a filter and lip-sync "Baba Booey", often flexing their chest and biceps and approaching the camera. The meme has also been used to censor explicit language.
In 2010, Dell'Abate published an autobiography titled "They Call Me Baba Booey", in which he tells the story of his brother's death from AIDS, his mother's struggle with depression, and his rise to executive producer of The Howard Stern Show.
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Frequently asked questions
"Baba booey" is a phrase that is yelled by fans at golf tournaments. It is not a golf term and has no relation to the sport.
The phrase originated from radio host Howard Stern's producer, Gary Dell'Abate, whose nickname is Baba Booey.
On the Howard Stern Show in 1990, Dell'Abate mispronounced the name of Quick Draw McGraw's sidekick, Baba Looey, as "Baba Booey". The rest of the cast teased him for this, and the nickname stuck.
The phrase first made its way onto the golf course when fans of the Howard Stern Show started yelling it at golf tournaments. Eventually, it became so popular that even those who were unfamiliar with the show began yelling it.
Other popular phrases include "Get in the hole", "Mashed potatoes", "You're the man", and "Chewbacca".











































