Is Cowabunga a real word?
cowabunga (interj.)
1954, American English, from exclamation of surprise and anger by “Chief Thunderthud” in “The Howdy Doody Show,” 1950s children’s TV show; used by surfers 1960s as a shout of triumph, and spread worldwide 1990 by use in the TV cartoon “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.”
Why do they say Cowabunga?
Writer Eddie Kean wanted to think of a word that’s the opposite of the friendly “Cowagoopa” (which was “hello”, instead of the usual “How”). So, Eddie Kean came up with “Cowabunga”, showing a sign that the character, Chief Thunderthud, would get frustrated.
