A badonkadonk (alternatively spelled gadonkadonk, gadunkadunk, badongadong, badoonkadoonk, or several other variations, with or without dashes between syllables) is a slang term for a hot ass, usually of proportion. It is most commonly applied to females, although surely the phenomenon of the male badonkadonk exists. Badonkadonk is an example of pseudo-onomatopoeia: the term is intended to describe the imaginary sound effects that would accompany the rhythmic movements of said ass as its owner sashayed down the street or gyrated on the dance floor. Badonkadonk originated in African American slang, and initially was used almost exclusively to describe the assets of African American women. It was quickly incorporated into the American mainstream lexicon, with some subtle mutations in meaning.

Although a badonkadonk is often large, size is by no means the sole qualification. If the buttocks are racing to meet the backs of the knees, then it's not a badonkadonk. Even more so than mass, traditional use of the term implies a certain attractive shapeliness; that shape being round. Very round. Some folks use badonkadonk to describe any rear they find attractive, regardless of size. The relative sexiness of the hindquarters in question can be communicated with additional "donks." If the derriere is especially attractive, the last syllable may be emphasized. Thus, a truly exceptional behind might be described as a "badonkadonkadonkDONK!" Originally, it was a playful, sexy word with overwhelmingly positive connotations.

The earliest public appearances of the word occurred mostly in the context of hip hop. The first documented example is in the 2001 Ludacris single "Fatty Girl," featuring LL Cool J and Keith Murray. In Murray's verse, he cautions an unnamed female to treat her ass as a deadly weapon: "Goodness gracious, good God almighty! You got a ba-doon-ka-doonk, girl! Don't hurt nobody" (the specific spelling of the term actually appears in the video). In 2002, another variation appeared in Missy Elliott's hit "Work It," celebrating the use of one's body to get ahead in life. During a tongue in cheek serenade to her own behind, Elliott elaborates on the meaning of the term: "And think you can handle this gadunk-gadunk-dunk, take my thong off and my ass go boom." The term subsequently became a running gag on several sketch comedy television programs.

Badonkadonk became truly ubiquitous with the 2005 release of the pop country single "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk," performed by cheesemaster Trace Adkins. The song was actually written by Jamey Johnson and two friends, who were inspired during a visit to a strip club. Johnson originally intended to perform the song himself, but thought better of it when considering the prospect of being forever known as "that badonkadonk guy." Apparently, Adkins had no such compunctions. Sadly, the video for "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" demonstrates a woeful misunderstanding of the meaning of the term. Although there are a few fleeting glimpses of actual badonkadonks, most of the women in the video really don't have much of an ass at all. Thus, in some circles, the phrase "honky tonk badonkadonk" specifically refers to the phenomenon of skinny assless white women who intentionally dress in jeans several sizes too small in order to simulate the presence of a badonkadonk where in fact, there is none.

In 2007, the word popped up again, this time in an award-winning television commercial for the Subway chain of sub shops. The premise of the spot is to show what it might be like if, at a fast food place, you ordered what you were really going to get. The ad features a middle-aged white couple in a Prius, presumably liberal, well-educated, with gobs of disposable income. As they pull up to a prototypical fast food drive-thru, the husband orders "the love handles, double chin, and some blubber." His wife orders the same, but substitutes blubber with "thunder thighs and a badonkadonk butt." Cute, yes, but a horrible misappropriation of the word. The obvious implication is that a badonkadonk is something unattractive and undesirable, resulting from poor lifestyle choices (and a lack of Subway patronage). Of course, you can't sell the solution until you've invented the problem. Given badonkadonk's history as a racial signifier with positive connotations, this ad is just begging to become the thesis topic of a liberal arts student somewhere.

In print, the spelling of the word is slowly standardizing on "badonkadonk," thanks in large part to the Adkins song. However, in speech, regional differences in pronunciation exist. For instance, back in the DC area, I always heard it pronounced "gadunkadunk" or "gadonkadonk," with a hard "g" sound. For the badonkadonk pronunciation appropriate to your locale, consult with your nearest suburban teenager.

Sources:

• Adkins, Trace. "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk." YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epdmJwH-IdU. Accessed: September 5, 2007.
• Elliott, Missy. "Work It." YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS8s0Af4x3w. Accessed: September 4, 2007.
• Ludacris. "'Fatty Girl' Video". AOL Music. http://music.aol.com/video/fatty-girl/ludacrisll-cool-jkeith-murray/1450630. Accessed: September 3, 2007.
• Sanneh, Kelefa. "Drawling Devotion to Snug Britches". New York Times. August 10, 2006. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/10/arts/music/10sann.html. Accessed: September 4, 2007.
• "Subway commercial." YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxqRg2Nohso. Accessed: September 4, 2007.