whammo

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Used to emphasize the suddenness of an event.

   • So, I'm driving along when, whammo, a tree falls in front of the car.
   • "Sure, the boys say, 'What's the use? I'd just get started and whammo, I'm gone.'"
   • Every year I try to catch the first buds as they break out of their winter closets, and every year I miss. One day you hit the street on your way to your day's routine and there it is, whammo, LIFE, popping up and out all over the place.
2. 2

   An action-packed scene in a film, etc.

   • […] dawdles for 15 minutes before presenting a mild whammo. The whammos start at about 33 minutes and then pile up at 36 minutes, 40 minutes, 50 minutes, 59 minutes, and 64 minutes.

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