Where did the quote “It’s on like Donkey Kong” come from? Who started it? Was it a movie? Song? Classic literature? The musings of a game writer?
My friend just said it to me as he was referencing his Friday night plans. I also heard it on the radio yesterday. In fact, I have said it myself on more than one occasion, but, honestly, I have no idea what it means or where it came from. Quite frankly, I don’t even know why I say it. It is not cool. It’s not tight. And it’s definitely not gangsta.
Editor’s Note: I’m not implying that I’m a gangsta — or that being a gangsta is cool or tight. But, I imagine no cool, tight gangsta would be caught dead saying “It’s on like Donkey Kong!” However, if you are a gangsta and/or you know a gangsta and you feel my assumption is both inaccurate and prejudice towards gangstas; please, feel free to contact me, and I will update this blog as applicable.
If you know the answer to this question, please write ASAP as this is causing me great vexation. I tried Google — knower of all things knowable — but I was greeted with 304,000 non-answer answers. Although, I must admit Urban Dictionary provided some good definitions.
In addition, if you just so happen to know, why is it never “on” like anything else? No one ever says it’s on like Wal-Mart lights. Or it’s on like CNN. Or it’s on like the Internet. All of which, to me anyway, would make far more sense as referencing as being “on” seeing as all of these are actually always on.
Donkey Kong on the other hand is hardly ever on, unless you’re at a convenience store or Game Room that happens to have Donkey Kong plugged in. And, if you are not, how can you say ‘It’s on like Donkey Kong’ without truly having a frame of reference for verifying that Donkey Kong is indeed on?
What if it was on but now it’s off? This renders your statement both untrue and untimely! Either way, for this quote to have been around for so long and referenced so many times you would think Donkey Kong would be much more popular or just came out. Personally, I haven’t played or even seen someone play-ing Donkey Kong in years! But, maybe I just live a sheltered life.
For all I know, there is some government agency whose sole purpose is to ensure that Donkey Kong is indeed on 24-7, 365, including leap year, in an underground bunker somewhere in Area 51; thus, making this statement true no matter what day or time it is referenced. This would explain the price tag of the $787 billion dollar “stimulus” and why FICA is always taken out of our checks. I imagine ensuring Donkey Kong is on all this time doesn’t come cheap, but as we all know, a good catch phrase is priceless!
I’m serious! Well, I guess you don’t have to agree with that last statement. Even if I don’t know whatchu talkin bout Willis, I know this blog is DY-NO-MITE! Can you hear me now? I pity the fool that don’t!
Anyway, thanks in advance for your responses and insights. I’m sure once I know this quote’s origins I can return to having things on like Donkey Kong, perhaps even this approaching weekend; therefore, an expedient response would be greatly appreciated.
