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Definition of yo-hope in English:

yo-hope

Pronunciation /ˌjəʊˈhəʊp/

noun

historical, rare Nautical

  • A task regulated by a chant or song of the type used by sailors when hauling ropes or performing other strenuous, rhythmically repetitive tasks; the chant so used.

Origin

Early 18th century; earliest use found in Charles Johnson (?1679–1748), playwright and poet. Probably from yo + either ho or ho, with apparently arbitrary extension.