boomshakalaka

English

Alternative forms

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.

Pronunciation

  • (General American) IPA(key): /ˈbuːmˌʃɑkəˌlɑkə/
  • Audio (Midwestern US):(file)
  • Audio (Inland Northern American, emphatic):(file)

Interjection

boomshakalaka

  1. (slang) An exclamation expressing dominance, excitement, joy, or triumph.

Noun

boomshakalaka (plural boomshakalakas)

  1. (slang) The sound of a slam dunk and the board or chain rattling that follows.
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