释义 |
cowabunga, int. slang (orig. U.S.). Brit. |ˌkaʊəˈbʌŋgə|, U.S. |ˌkaʊəˈbəŋgə| Forms: 19– cowabonga, 19– cowabunga, 19– kawabonga, 19– kowabonga, 19– kowabunga [Origin unknown. The word was first popularized as the characteristic cry of Chief Thunderthud, a character on the U.S. television programme Howdy Doody (1947–60). It later became associated with surfing culture, and was further popularized by its use on the U.S. animated television programme Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987–96).] Expressing astonishment, enthusiasm, or exuberance; ‘yahoo!’ ‘wow!’ Now freq. humorous.
1954Howdy Doody (Dell Comics) Jan.–Feb. Chief Thunderthud. Kowa-Bunga! Then Me Fix You Good! You Be Sorry. 1963Time (Electronic ed.) 9 Aug. Shouting the surfer's cry ‘Cowabunga!’ they climb a 12-ft. wall of water and ‘take the drop’ off its shoulder. 1985Los Angeles Times 26 May vi. 18 (caption) Kowabunga! Here are the genuine articles in beachwear. 1991New Yorker 9 Dec. 115/1 Both words turn up in the same sentence—as in ‘Cowabunga, it's humongous!’—when the children crowd around some toy. 2005Edmonton Jrnl. (Nexis) 20 Apr. b2 Cowabunga! Edmontonians likely remember the..life-size Fiberglas cows that adorned downtown streets..a few years ago. |