English Explanatory Dictionary

Oompa Loompa

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Any of the fictional pygmies who manufacture candy in Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
  2. A person appearing orange from fake tanning, resembling the appearance of Oompa Loompas in the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
  3. A dwarf, little person, short person.

Pronunciation

/ˈuːmpə ˈluːmpə/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-Oompa Loompa.wav

Word forms

Oompa Loompa Oompa Loompas

Etymology

Coined by British author Roald Dahl. Apparently a fanciful formation in line with whimsical English words like fuzzy-wuzzy, Humpty Dumpty, etc. Perhaps reminiscent of "exotic" ethnonyms to Westerners; Roald Dahl spent time in Tanganyika, East Africa. Also compare oom-pah (genre of German folk music); the Oompa Loompas dance to quirky, rhythmic songs.

Translations

Finnish: Umppa-Lumppa Marathi: ऊम्पा लूम्पा Spanish: umpa lumpa Spanish: umpa lumpi
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