General
fantabulosa
What does fantabulosa mean?
In Polari, wonderful, marvellous, splendid. A portmanteau of 'fabulous' and 'fantastic', dressed up with a mock-Italian '-osa' ending typical of camp Polari coinings.
"Your lattie is absolutely fantabulosa!"
Origin
Polari of mid-20th-century Britain; 'fantabulosa' is a camp blend of 'fabulous' and 'fantastic', made famous by Kenneth Williams and Hugh Paddick as Julian and Sandy in the 1960s, as noted by Paul Baker.
Frequently asked questions
What does fantabulosa mean?
It is Polari for wonderful or marvellous, blending 'fabulous' and 'fantastic'.
Where did fantabulosa come from?
It is a camp Polari coinage popularised by the radio characters Julian and Sandy in the 1960s.
Why does fantabulosa end in -osa?
Polari often added mock-Italian or Romance endings for flourish, reflecting its Mediterranean roots.
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