zoinks

English

WOTD – 25 October 2008

Etymology

The earliest and most commonly known usage of this term is in the American cartoon Scooby-Doo, where it was used regularly by one of the main characters, Norville "Shaggy" Rogers.

Pronunciation

(UK, US) IPA^(key): /zɔɪŋks/
Audio (AU) (file)
Audio (US) (file)
Rhymes: -ɔɪŋks

Interjection

zoinks

Expressing surprise, fear, etc.
- 1998 March 28, David W Miller, “Re: Slang (was: REVIEW: Vampire Science)”, in rec.arts.drwho, Usenet‎:
  Oh Zoinks! This really smurfs things up for me! Well, at least I now know why many of my friends might feel my slang isn't as radicool as I do.
- 2012, Michael W. Messer, Forever Sixteen (page 39)
  After gulping hard, I said aloud, “Zoinks.” I was expecting a big black crow to peck out my eyes, or a woman to hang herself out the second story window.

Synonyms

jeepers
jinkies
yikes
zoiks