Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
A made-up word that sounds like a dunk landing. Because it means nothing, it can mean anything: a slam, a streak, a win, a burst of hype. It left the arcade for good and is still what people shout when someone nails something spectacular.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for NBA JamShow the scene
NBA Jam (Midway, arcade 1993) pairs its over-the-top two-on-two basketball with a loud, joke-filled announcer, voiced by Tim Kitzrow. 'Boomshakalaka!' is one of the game's signature calls, along with 'He's heating up' and 'He's on fire'. Wikipedia says these phrases describe a player hitting two or three shots in a row, and that implementing catchphrases like them became prevalent in basketball culture in the years after the game came out.
Sources (1)
- NBA Jam (1993 video game), WikipediaPopular culture sectionReference checked
Context reviewed
