An exclamation of surprise, shock, or frustration commonly used in Spanish-influenced English.
From Spanish 'caramba,' itself likely derived from an earlier Spanish exclamation. It entered English through cultural contact with Spanish speakers and became popularized in American English, especially in the mid-20th century.
This word became super famous in English through the cartoon character Speedy Gonzales, who would yell 'Ay caramba!' so often that English speakers started using it too—language spreads through pop culture!
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