English Explanatory Dictionary

boomshakalaka

English dictionary entry

Meanings

intj
  1. An exclamation expressing dominance, excitement, joy, or triumph.
noun
  1. The sound of a slam dunk and the board or chain rattling that follows.

Pronunciation

/ˈbuːmˌʃɑkəˌlɑkə/ LL-Q7976 (mis)-Walter Franky-boomshakalaka.wav En-us-toby-boomshakalaka.ogg

Word forms

boomshakalaka boom shakalaka boomshakalakas

Etymology

Uncertain, but likely from the filler syllables boom-laka-laka-laka in the lyrics to the song “I Want to Take You Higher” (1969) by Sly and the Family Stone, which appeared as the corruption boom-shaka-laka-laka in subsequent covers; the modern shortened form boomshakalaka, as an apparent reference to “I Want to Take You Higher”, appeared in the military comedy film Stripes (1981). From there, a scriptwriter for the video game NBA Jam (1993) adopted it as onomatopoeic for a slam dunk in lines voiced by Tim Kitzrow, popularizing its use.

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