kahunas

n.pl. testicles; cojones. Also kahoonas. Subjects: English, Body, Slang

Editorial Note: Can be used in all the same ways as other slang terms for “testicles.” This kind of transformation of a Spanish word into substantially different Anglicized spellings, which in turn represent a different pronunciation, is a sign of its nearly complete adoption into English. There may, however, be some confluence with kahuna ‘a powerful person or leader,’ especially in the common form big kahuna. Mark Liberman at Language Log has written more about cojones/kahuna. Etymological Note: From the Spanish cojones ‘testicles.’

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Citations: 1994 Usenet: rec.motorcycles (Jan. 19) “Re: ROTFL on a _BIKE_! (Now: how cold can ya go”: You must be thinking of the girls. Those of use with BIG KAHUNAS spent yesterday evening grooming the driveway for mini bike riding. Yep, six inches of hardpack and 5 foot walls on four sides make a great mini oval. 1994 [Michael Lodman] Usenet: alt.fraternity.sorority (Mar. 11) “Re: Ted has no honor”: I wonder if he’ll accuse opposing attorneys in court of having a vendetta against him when he gets his kahunas kicked in court. 2005 [Joel] Ordinary Divergence (Ohio) (May 8) “Sunday’s Child”: Rob started a sermon series today called: Sex for Dummies. All I got to say is 1) Rob has kahoonas and 2) this sermon series couldn’t come at a better time. 2007 [Catman] Poker News (Jan. 15) “The Sex Goddess, Poker Wars and Rake”: As I sat there freezing my Kahoonas (Spanish word—Cojones) off, I was far away playing a heads up with the lady on the right.

Posted 16 Jan 07 | Permalink | Tell a Friend