Geronimo, int.
(dʒəˈrɒnɪməʊ)
The name of an Apache Indian chief (1829–1909), used as a battle cry by U.S. paratroops, and hence as an exclamation by others, esp. when making great leaps, or as a general cry of exultation.
| 1942 Newsweek 30 Nov. 20/1 A defiant yell, ‘Geronimo!’ echoed over North Africa last week. 1948 in Amer. Speech XXIII. 149/1 At Troy State Teachers College the new yell is ‘Geronimo’, adopted from the U.S. paratroops of World War II. 1984 ‘A. J. Quinnell’ Blood Ties xxv. 233 A Geronimo line... It's what a derrick man uses to get his ass off a rig if it blows in. He's got seconds before the flames fry him. As he takes off it's kinda customary to yell ‘Geronimo!’. 1989 Funny Fortnightly 21 Oct.–3 Nov. 11 Oh boy! Now I can jump on your hat! Geronimo! |