Featured Image Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images
Topics: Melania Trump, Donald Trump, Social Media, US News, Politics, Twitter
Madison Burgess
Topics: Melania Trump, Donald Trump, Social Media, US News, Politics, Twitter
Melania Trump has left people baffled with a word she yelled out during her appearance at the Navy 250 Celebration yesterday (5 October).
Roughly 10,000 sailors attended the 250th anniversary event, dressed in their white uniforms, at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia.
Not letting the US government shutdown get in the way, Donald Trump, 79, and the First Lady, 55, delivered remarks at the event, which turned into a bit of a rally as the president praised the navy and himself.
He told the crowd: "I want you to know that despite the current Democrat induced shutdown, we will get our service members every last penny. Don’t worry about it."
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Trump later added: “Let’s face it, this is a rally," as chants of 'USA! USA! USA!" broke out among the crowds, before the Republican leader danced to 'YMCA' to close out his speech.
Melania also took to the podium to deliver a speech where she said it was an 'honour' to be there to celebrate the historic anniversary.
However, as we say, one element of her speech left people seriously confused - and it was actually the first word.
The First Lady opened her speech by shouting: "Hooyah navy!," to which the crowd chanted back: "Hooyah!"
After the clip has done the rounds on social media, one Twitter user asked: "What the f**k is Hooyah.....anybody?"
While a second wrote: "Does Hooyah mean hello?" and a third questioned: "What does Hooyah Navy mean."
And a fourth penned: "I did NOT have the First Lady saying “Hooyah” to rally the troops on my BINGO card for today, BUT damn I’m here for it."
Meanwhile others gushed: "How Melania enjoys this moment, I love it" and "See that's just some good ole fun right there for everyone. Go Navy!"
Melania later continued: "It is an honour to be with you to celebrate the 250th year since the United States navy was officially established. Generations of sailors have cut America free because of their presence on the high seas.
"Your strength, bravery and sacrifice inspires us all."
'Hooyah!' is simply the battle cry which is used in the United States Navy to build morale.
It's a positive word that's used to express approval, agreement or encouragement, its official Cambridge Dictionary definition explains.
As per Military Times, the word belongs primarily to sailors, particularly those in special warfare and it reportedly stems from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training.
Instructors would use it as an expression of defiance during 'gruelling evolutions, such as Hell Week swim drills, rope climbs and sinking boats'.
And when trainees began to answer with their own 'hooyah,' it became a moment of unity and has spread to other divisions from there.
Today, as we say, it's used as a cheer or salute and to evoke camaraderie - and it looks like Melania wanted to do just that.