Journals of Lord Malinov

the poetry of madness

Geronimo

A study of the slang term "Germonimo," as yelled when making a dangerous leap.

I'm not finding any explanations for the history of this word.  I'm going to make the guess that the unrealistic yet unstoppable courage of the Apache warrior as witnessed in his bold attacks and continual refusal to surrender to Federal officials leads us to use his name as an expression of foolhardy daring.  I can't find any stories of Geronimo leaping from a great height.

The data
~~~
From "Conspiracy Theory"

Passenger: Love is bullshit.
Jerry: Love give you wings. It makes you fly. I don't even call it love. I call it "Geronimo".
Passenger: Geronimo?
Jerry: Yeah, Geronimo. See, when you're in love, you'll jump off the Empire State and you won't care. Screaming, "Geronimo" all the way down. It's great.
Passenger: Yeah, but then you'll die. You'll squash yourself. So what's the point?
Jerry: Hey, aren't you listening? I'm telling you, man — love gives you wings!
Passenger: [laughs] She must be some girl.
~~~
(Drug slang)
Alcohol/Barbituate mixture
Barbituate
~~~
(Circus Slang) Geronimo — A "death dive" act, jumping from a great height onto a big air bag (as movie stunt men do today) or as "sponge plunge" into an impossibly small amount of water. Most of the time it would be a man; he would climb to the top of the building out on to the beams yell "Geronimo!!!" and dive off hitting a big air bag on the floor and for dramatic effect a big bang would go off
~~~
Geronimo! (an expression shouted when starting an attack; a character from old American TV series "The Lone Ranger")
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posted by: Malinov at 08:06 | link | comments (5) |

Comments:

#1  09 June 2005 - 10:10

 

I might start professing "I'm in Geronimo" instead of "I'm in love..." I think it accurately describes what love is like.

solyluna

#2  15 June 2005 - 21:24

 

hey malinov...are you okay? you haven't been around for awhile. just wanted to let you know you are missed around here.

moonglow

#3  16 June 2005 - 13:45

 

Yes --- you are definitely missed....

solyluna

#4  07 July 2005 - 20:22

 

Believe it or not, this expression does go back to the time of Geronimo, the great Native American Indian leader, who is first credited with its use. Legend has it that while being pursued by the U.S. cavalry near Medicine Bluffs, Oklahoma, the Apache chief was trapped at the edge of a cliff. Rather than surrender, he leapt off the cliff on horseback, yelling out his name "Geronimo!", to taunt the troops. He survived this jump and rode away to a short-lived freedom.

He was eventually captured and died while a prisoner at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in 1909.
During World War II the paratroopers in the 82nd Airborne Division, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, having heard of the legend, began shouting "Geronimo!" as they jumped from their planes.
www.southernutah.com/Articles/Over_50/339378.36414

Mo'nonymous

#5  08 July 2005 - 10:49

 

Now that's the story I wanted. Thanks.

Malinov

Comments: