A sudden, shocking piece of news or information that surprises or shocks people, or historically, a bomb or artillery shell.
A compound of 'bomb' (from Italian 'bomba,' possibly from Latin 'bombus' meaning 'humming sound') and 'shell.' The literal meaning developed first in the 16th century, then metaphorically extended to shocking news in the 20th century.
The word 'bombshell' originally referred to an actual bomb dropped from an aircraft, but by the 1900s people started using it for shocking news that hit people like a bomb—and then Hollywood used it as a term for glamorous actresses, showing how slang evolves in unexpected directions!
Originally a term for an attractive woman (early 20th century), sexualizing women's appearance and reducing them to objects. Later applied to surprising revelations, but retains gendered visual connotation.
When referring to news, use 'revelation,' 'disclosure,' or 'bombshell finding.' Avoid applying to women's appearance.
["revelation","disclosure","stunning development","major finding"]
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