tralfazz
/ˈtrælfæz/
interjection
Origin
English
tralfazz — nonsense oath
Overview
Meaning Now
- A nonsense exclamation used as a substitute for a swear word, popularized by the comic strip 'B.C.'
Language path
English
Earliest form
tralfazz
Earliest period
1960s
Journey
The term was popularized in the 'B.C.' comic strip by Johnny Hart. In the strip, 'tralfazz' was often used by caveman characters as a comedic substitute for profanity, reflecting a trend in mid-20th-century American comics to circumvent censorship codes or add character quirkiness through invented vocabulary.
Evolution
- 1960s
tralfazz
“a mild, invented expletive”
Coined by cartoonist Johnny Hart.
Connections
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.