zoinks

Zoinks is an exclamation popularized by the Scooby-Doo franchise. It is primarily used by the characters Scooby-Doo and Shaggy to express surprise, fear, or alarm during encounters with mysteries.

Origin and usage: The catchphrase was introduced with the 1969 animated series Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. It became one of the most recognizable expressions associated with the series and entered broader pop culture as a lighthearted, non-specific exclamation. The phrase is typically delivered in a drawn-out or emphatic manner, matching the show's cartoon tone.

Impact and legacy: Zoinks has appeared in comics, video games, merchandise, and media parodies referencing Scooby-Doo. It is often used as a generic nod to the characters’ style or to evoke nostalgia for classic animated series.

Etymology and usage notes: The precise linguistic origin of zoinks is not clearly documented; it is generally regarded as a cartoonish, invented exclamation rather than a direct lexical item. It has inspired other slang forms and references within fan communities.