ba-dum ching

English

Alternative forms

• ba dum tish
• ba dum tss

Etymology

Imitating a drum roll and cymbal crash played as a comic sting.

Interjection

ba-dum ching

1. (humorous) Used to underscore or acknowledge a joke.
   • 2005, Julie Kenner, Night Moves:

     She gave it a little spin as it came off her right arm, then sent it flying. It landed on his head with aplomb, and she laughed. "Ba-dum, ching!"

   • 2006, Mark Mulvey, Where There's a Will, There's Away... Messages:

     Boy, it looks like the average Viagra consumer has some stiff competition. (ba-dum ching!)

   • 2009, Michael Fontaine, Funny Words in Plautine Comedy:

     ...a painfully obvious joke that, in modern performance, is punctuated by a ba-dum ching! drum roll and cymbal crash to coincide with the collective groan of the audience.

See also

• I'm here all week
• rimshot
• Sting (percussion)