boomerang

[ boo-muh-rang ]

noun

1. a bent or curved piece of tough wood used by Australian Aboriginal peoples as a throwing club, one form of which can be thrown so as to return to the thrower.
2. something, as a scheme or argument, that does injury to the originator.
3. Theater.
   1. a mobile platform, adjustable to different levels, for painting scenery.
   2. a batten, usually suspended vertically in the wings, for holding lighting units.

verb (used without object)

1. to come back or return, as a boomerang.
2. to cause harm to the originator; backfire.

adjective

1. coming back, returning, or backfiring:

   the boomerang consequences of his lies.

2. Informal. of or noting a person who returns to their parents’ home or to a previous job after a period of living or working elsewhere:

   a boomerang kid;

   boomerang employees.

boomerang

/ ˈbuːməˌræŋ /

noun

1. a curved flat wooden missile of native Australians, which can be made to return to the thrower
2. an action or statement that recoils on its originator

verb

1. intr to recoil or return unexpectedly, causing harm to its originator; backfire

Word History and Origins

Origin of boomerang¹

First recorded in 1820–30; from Dharuk būmariny

Word History and Origins

Origin of boomerang¹

C19: from a native Australian language