Bababooey began as an in-joke around The Howard Stern Show, where it was the nickname of producer Gary Dell'Abate and was picked up by listeners who shouted it during live calls and public broadcasts. The shout became a running prank, turning up at golf tournaments, news reports and other live events where someone in the crowd would yell it just as cameras rolled. Shared online as a short clip, it kept its appeal as a quick, recognisable gag for surprising an audience or interrupting a serious moment.