Origins of Cowabunga!
 

I feel like this has had to of been discussed somewhere, but I cant find any thread dedicated to the topic.

When was the first time you heard the phrase "Cowabunga"? I imagine for the majority of us Dromers it was the 87 OT series, or maybe even some predated surfer lingo if you can remember. I know for me it was Michelangelo, although others may remember Bart Simpson reviving the phrase along with "Don't have a cow, man". And what did it mean exactly? Well, for Mike, Bart, and surfers alike, it was an all-purpose cry of jubilation. But as far as I can tell, the first person to utter this unforgettable expression was Bill LeCornec.

Bill LeCornec played a number of roles on the 'Howdy Doody Show,' including Chief Thunderthud of the Ooragnak. (How many of you remember that show.........thats what i thought). Here he used the expression usually to express grief at the practical jokes played on him(usually by Clarabell).

I doubt members on this forum are old enough to remember Howdy Doody. Its unfortunately that many episodes are lost. As for me, it was the "Surf's Up, Cowabunga" during the episode Case of the Killer Pizzas.

But according to Wiktionary, the expression originated from the Native American phrase Kwa Bungu. However depending on the Indian Tribe, in which some Howdy Doody characters were, it could vary from frustration to surprise to joy.

And its usage by Bart Simpson my have predated Michelangelo a bit since he did use Cowabunga during the Tracy Ullman era.

Bart got it from turtles for sure. The origin where turtles are concerned came from David Wise remembering snoopy use the phrase in a 60s peanuts comic.

Wasn't "Cowabunga" used a lot in those beach party movies with Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello?

Yes, and even Tarzan used it!

Isn't there a thread about this somewhere else?

I heard it used somewhere before TMNT. Probably the Beach Party movies, if it was actually used there. How was it spelled on Howdy Doodoo? KAWABONGA, right?
Link or it didn't happen. :P

http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/sho...ht=Howdy+Doody
Here's one...but I could swear there were other mentions of Kowabonga.