A boomerang is a curved, flat tool that, when thrown correctly, can fly in a circle and return to the thrower. It is traditionally used by some Indigenous Australian peoples for hunting and sport.
The word comes from the language of the Dharug people of Australia, recorded in English in the early 19th century. It was adopted into English along with the object itself.
English turned this specific tool into a metaphor: a bad action can “boomerang” and come back to hurt you. A word from one local culture is now used worldwide to describe the surprising return of consequences.
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