Ke-mo sah-bee facts for kids
Ke-mo sah-bee (often spelled kemo sabe or kimosabe) is a famous phrase that comes from the classic American radio and TV shows, The Lone Ranger. In these stories, it's the special name that Tonto, the Native American sidekick, uses for The Lone Ranger. It has become a well-known catchphrase that many people recognize.
The word "Ke-mo sah-bee" actually comes from the Ojibwe and Potawatomi languages. The original word is gimoozaabi, which might mean "he/she looks out in secret." In the first Lone Ranger TV episode from 1941, it was translated as "trusty scout" or "faithful friend."
However, in the 2013 movie The Lone Ranger, Tonto gives a different, funny translation. He says it means "wrong brother" in the Comanche language, which was a joke within the movie's story.
Where Else Have You Heard 'Ke-mo sah-bee'?
The phrase "Ke-mo sah-bee" has appeared in many other places in pop culture:
- It's in the lyrics of "Apache (Jump on It)", a popular song from 1981 by The Sugarhill Gang.
- It was mentioned in the 2002 movie "Windtalkers", which was about Navajo code talkers during World War II.
- The band Everything Everything released a song called "Kemosabe" in 2013. It was a single from their album, Arc.
- You can learn more about Jay Silverheels, the actor who played Tonto, here: TONTO: The Man in Front of the Mask
