Cowabunga! It’s Really Howdy Doody’s Term

Did you see where the “Howdy Doody Show” was honored with a plaque on NBC’s Walk of Fame at the Rockefeller Center in New York? Next, perhaps, the International Surfing Museum in Huntington Beach will confess the cultural debt it owes the children’s TV show, which ran from 1947 to 1960.

After all, “Howdy Doody” invented the term “cowabunga,” which was used as an exclamation. Later, the term was adopted by the surfing community (“cowabunga” appeared in the titles of surfing exhibits in Santa Monica and at John Wayne Airport in recent years).

In his autobiography, “Howdy and Me,” Buffalo Bob Smith said “some chowderhead” started the rumor that cowabunga “signified a profanity” and that when kids at home yelled it out, they were cursing. Added Buffalo Bob: “I’d never teach a kid a secret way to curse.”

In truth, he said, the term was meaningless (perfect for surfers!).

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SANTA MONICA SOUTH: David Brook of L.A. wondered why Tustin had stolen Santa Monica’s address (left). The address was on a return envelope that Brook received along with a parking citation. It turns out a company in Tustin handles the fine collections for Santa Monica. And maybe does Santa Monica’s windows for all I know.

miscelLAny:

I guess it’s only natural that a downturned sign would be noticed by a reader named Mel Upp of San Bernardino (right).

Steve Harvey can be reached at (800) LATIMES, Ext. 77083.