A noisy fuss; a “sensation.”
1834. “What a splurge” (said a Kentucky representative, in one of the favorite and most expressive words of Western invention), “what a splurge she makes.”—Robert C. Sands, ‘Writings,’ ii. 179 (N.Y.).
1845. [Members of Congress] should not forget what Senator Benton was shinning around, making what they call in Missouri a great splurge, to get gold.—N.Y. Commercial Advertiser, Dec. 13 (Bartlett).
