DCHP-1 Online
ho ho Hist. 
1 interj. See 1952 quote.
- 1900 But at ten o'clock the next morning the hunters were made to fall into line, and the crier was ordered to cry the "ho!" which was the signal for a general attack.
- 1952 (1965) . . . the signal to attack in the great buffalo hunts was the cry of "Ho!"
2 interj. See 1952 cite.
- 1856 ["Ho! What cheer?" said Jacques, taking him by the hand after the manner of Europeans, and accosting him with the phrase used by the fur-traders to the natives.]
- 1900 The quaint expression, "Here's a ho!" which old-fashioned North-Western folk utter before gulping down the dram or "horn" of whisky, is really a reminiscence of this ancient [buffalo-hunt] signal to begin the fun, and not as some authorities say, a silly reference to the opening phrase of Isaiah lv.
- 1903 (1965) So I drink this toast / To the "Queen of the Coast." / Vancouver, here's a Ho!
- 1952 (1965) Here's a ho, boy! A drinking term popular in the West, 19th century; in the early days the commonest form of cup was a buffalo horn; the signal to attack in the great buffalo hunts was the cry of "Ho!"
- 1900 But at ten o'clock the next morning the hunters were made to fall into line, and the crier was ordered to cry the "ho!" which was the signal for a general attack.