on like Donkey Kong
English
[edit]Etymology
[edit]From the Nintendo video game gorilla-like character Donkey Kong, which is used in the phrase because of the character’s stereotypical strength and for the near-rhyme between on and Kong; likely influenced by the earlier construction in like Flynn.
Pronunciation
[edit]- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈɒn laɪk ˈdɒŋki kɒŋ/
- (General American) IPA(key): /ˈɑn laɪk ˈdɑŋki kɑŋ/, /ˈɑn laɪk ˈdɔŋki kɑŋ/
Audio (General Australian): (file) - Hyphenation: on like Don‧key Kong
Phrase
[edit]- (chiefly US) An intensifier used in the same contexts as it's on, go on, and other expressions using the word on, but to express greater emphasis.
- 1992 November 17, “Now I Gotta Wet ’Cha”, in The Predator, performed by Ice Cube:
- It's on like Donkey Kong / You wanted that fast buck / Now I gotta light that ass up
- 1993 February 16, John Wilder, “Gangs put L.A. on edge”, in USA Today:
- If those four white police don't get hung, it's on again. It's on like Donkey Kong!
- 2005 October 3, Dallas Davidson, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson (lyrics and music), “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk”, in Songs About Me, performed by Trace Adkins:
- Got it going on like Donkey Kong, and whoo-wee, shut my mouth, slap your grandma, there oughta be a law.
- 2007 August 1, “Food Network Star Guy Fieri to visit the 2007 State Fair!: Kids can vie for the chance to cook with Guy!”, in Business Wire[1], archived from the original on 1 September 2016:
- It's going to be "on like Donkey Kong" when Food Network Star and local restaurant owner Guy Fieri comes to the 2007 California State Fair!
- 2011 January 4, Chris Daly, San Francisco Board of Supervisors meeting:
- I will politically haunt you for the biggest fumble in the history of San Francisco politics. It's on like Donkey Kong.
References
[edit]- Peter Hartlaub (2011 January 6) “‘It’s on like Donkey Kong’: A comprehensive history”, in San Francisco Chronicle[2], archived from the original on 12 September 2016.