Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun Same as carambola.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • interjection An exclamation of surprise or dismay.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Spanish euphemism for carajo. Borrowed into Portuguese as euphemism for caralho.

Support

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Examples

  • Probably had heard "caramba" on TV or something, without realizing it.

    And the ghost stories, that litltle orphan Annie used to tell.... 2007

  • Probably had heard "caramba" on TV or something, without realizing it.

    Archive 2007-10-01 2007

  • Next morning, I asked my mother what "caramba" means.

    Archive 2007-10-01 2007

  • Next morning, I asked my mother what "caramba" means.

    And the ghost stories, that litltle orphan Annie used to tell.... 2007

  • Poll respondents used their own judgment as to what constituted swear words, but almost all were harsher than "caramba," roughly the equivalent of "gosh!"

    WRAL.com Top Stories 2009

  • I think "ch*ngada m*dre" would catch the mood of a forceful "shit!" better than "caramba," but, of course, you'll never see that in any subtitles!

    General comment 2008

  • I think "ch*ngada m*dre" would catch the mood of a forceful "shit!" better than "caramba," but, of course, you'll never see that in any subtitles!

    General comment 2008

  • I think "ch*ngada m*dre" would catch the mood of a forceful "shit!" better than "caramba," but, of course, you'll never see that in any subtitles!

    General comment 2008

  • I think "ch*ngada m*dre" would catch the mood of a forceful "shit!" better than "caramba," but, of course, you'll never see that in any subtitles!

    General comment 2008

  • I think "ch*ngada m*dre" would catch the mood of a forceful "shit!" better than "caramba," but, of course, you'll never see that in any subtitles!

    General comment 2008

Comments

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  • Mé qué, mé qué, mais quelle mouche l'a piquée!�?

    Bégayaient ainsi les conchitas qu'on tapait

    “Aï, aï, caramba, mama, quelle corrida!�?

    Bissaient les gars qui, ma foi, n'en revenaient pas

    D'assister à ceci, tout ça sans sourciller

    Se gardant bien d'y mettre le holà, olé!

    (Irénée, by Paris Combo)

    November 12, 2008