Shazam
/ʃəˈzæm/noun
An exclamation used to express surprise or to signal a magical transformation.
Did you know?Shazam was popularized in the 1940s by Captain Marvel’s magic-word transformation, and its exact origin is uncertain, which only adds to its spell-like mystique.
Etymological Timeline
1940s
English
Shazam
“A magic word used to trigger transformation in comic books.”
1940s
English
Captain Marvel
“The superhero who transformed by speaking the magic word.”
20th Century
English
shazam
“An exclamation of amazement or triumphant reveal.”
Unknown
English
shazam
“A coined sound-symbolic form with no securely established earlier etymology.”
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