kemosabe en · NOUN
Etymology
Coined for the 1938 Lone Ranger television serial. Further etymology uncertain: *Some trace the word through the Kee-Mo Sah-Bee summer camp in Michigan to Ojibwe giimoozaabi (“he spies”). See more at Wikipedia. *Alternatively, from a corruption of Spanish quien lo sabe "(he) who knows".
Meanings
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(colloquial, no-plural) An appellation given to a wise, trustworthy friend.
Wanna get a beer? / Nah. / Come on. Let's get a beer. / Okay, leave me alone, leave me alone. / Don't stay up too late, kemosabe.
2019, Edward Norton, Motherless Brooklyn, spoken by Tony, Lionel (Bobby Cannavale, Edward Norton):
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| kemo sabe | alternative | lexicographic | |
| kemosabi | alternative | lexicographic | |
| ke-mo sah-bee | alternative | lexicographic |