kemosabe

See also: kemo sabe

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Coined for the 1938 Lone Ranger television serial. Further etymology uncertain:

  • Some trace the word through the Kee-Mo Sah-Bee summer camp in Michigan to Ojibwe giimoozaabi (“he spies”).[1] See more at Wikipedia.
  • Alternatively, from a corruption of Spanish quien lo sabe "(he) who knows". (Can this(+) etymology be sourced?)

Pronunciation

Noun

kemosabe (plural not attested)

  1. (colloquial) An appellation given to a wise, trustworthy friend.

References

  1. ^ https://ojibwe.lib.umn.edu/main-entry/giimoozaabi-vai
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