Check out Ninja-Pedia to learn a bunch of Turtle lingo so you too can engage in some gnarly conversations with all your friends and family.
You probably should have learned these terms in grade school, but not to worry… The TMNT is here to help!
This list will keep growing as the Shell-ebration rocks on — so come back and test your knowledge!
- Villain and henchman of Shredder resembling a big warthog, from original TMNT cartoon and Archie TMNT comics.
Example: Bebop and Rocksteady did everything Shredder told them to do. I wonder what they would do without him!?
- Type of fast-paced jazz music originating in the 1930's.
- Weapon of choice of the machine-obsessed Turtle, Donatello. Customarily made from a hard wood such as white oak, Rotan or bamboo, and used for self defense. The Bo is treated as an extension of one's hands, and can be used to attack, subdue, block and corner an opponent. Bo Staffs are generally around six feet long.
Example: Dude, did you see the way Donnie used his Bo Staff to cream those cronies on his own? It was totally awesome.
- Term used by surfers and the TMNT when trying to describe something that is extremely cool (person, place, thing, idea).
Example: That bodacious retro TMNT t-shirt my brother was wearing is sure to get compliments at the school dance tonight.
- A popular term usually shouted by surfers and the TMNT to imply rejoice and excitement.
Example: Bro, did you see Mikey's 360 Rocket Air off the half pipe? COWABUNGA!
- Birthplace of Krang, located in an alternate dimension. To travel to Dimension X one must pass through a dimensional portal.
Example: How did Krang ever live on Dimension X full time? The weather there is horrible!
- Also known as "The Foot." A gang of evil warriors and assassins from Japan who are the constant opponents of the Turtles. The origins of the Foot Clan have varied from the original Eastman and Laird comic book to the live action movies and cartoons, but have always stayed true to their Japanese heritage and their motives fueled by organized crime and Ninjitsu.
Example: Whoa, Mikey. What the shell happened back there? Those goons from the Foot Clan really put up a fight this time!
- Heavy, intense, very big, as well as cool.
Example: Did you see that gnarly half pipe my buddy built in his backyard? Some dude got some massive air off of that thing!
- Also known as Master Yoshi. Former high ranking member of the Foot Clan in Japan and Splinter's master in the original TMNT comic and more recent cartoons. In the 1980's Fred Wolf cartoon, Hamato Yoshi was Splinter after being mutated from human to rat.
Example: How in the world can a rat learn Ninjitsu? Hamato Yoshi had to have been an incredible teacher and expert in martial arts!
- A group of green, fearsome fighting teenage turtles, taught the art of Ninjitsu by a radical rat.
Example: Heroes in a half shell has to be one of the best nicknames ever created.
- Weapon of choice of the leader of the Turtles, Leonardo. A sword dating back to the sixteenth century Japan, used by Samurai warriors in combat.
Example: Yo Leo, let me borrow your Katana for a few minutes. I need to shred my old credit cards.
- TMNT villain from "Dimension X" resembling a living mobile brain.
Example: Does anyone else remember the suit Krang had to wear to get around? That thing was huge!
- Style of martial arts practiced by Splinter, the Turtles, the Foot Clan, and Shredder. Focuses on camouflage and covert movements and disguise.
Example: Splinter taught us the art of Ninjitsu from a young age. Now we can make it through the streets of New York without being noticed by anyone.
- Weapon of choice of the party dude Turtle, Michelangelo. Nunchaku originated in Okinawa, Japan and is made up of two sections of wood connected by a chain or cable. This weapon can be used to strike, strangle, and apply holds to opponents.
Example: Who can forget the moment in the second live action movie when Mikey uses sausages and a yo-yo as Nunchaku? Dude, that was awesome.
- Slain brother of Oroku Saki.
Example: I sure wish I could meet all of those old legends when they lived back in Japan and were gnarly ninjas, like Shredder, his brother Oroku Nagi and Splinter.
- Also known as Shredder, an arch nemesis of the TMNT. See definition of Shredder, below.
Example: Splinter, tell us the story about Oroku Saki before he became Shredder.
- A battle-ready vehicle used by the TMNT, equipped with a dangerous but not lethal weapon known as a pizza shooter.
Example: Did you see Donnie hit that corner in the party wagon? I think he had it on two wheels.
- Villain and henchman of Shredder resembling a large rhino. From original TMNT cartoon and Archie TMNT comics.
Example: What would've ever possessed Bebop and Rocksteady to let Shredder mutate them into a warthog and rhino?
- Music better known as a precursor and great influencer to reggae.
- Weapon of choice for the cool but crude Turtle, Raphael. The Sai is said to have traveled to Japan from India through China. It later developed a following in the Okinawa martial arts community. Made from a wood handle with two side guards and a blade or pointed barb in the middle, the Sai can be used to defend or attack an opponent in close combat situations.
Example: Hey Raph, I've heard some people say the Sai was an old farming tool. Is that true?
- Place of residence of the TMNT, located below the streets of Manhattan.
Example: The sewer lair of the TMNT actually looked like it was pretty homey and comfy.
- Awesome, radical and excellent.
Example: Hey little man… That green ice cream you bought from the grocery store looks delicious and shellacious!
- Arch nemesis of the TMNT, also known as Oroku Saki. Commonly dressed in metal garb, a cape and a face mask leaving only his eyes exposed. Shredder has appeared and re-appeared in many versions of TMNT, and according to the original TMNT theme song he is "cut no slack" by the Turtles.
Example: If you had to pick a more evil TMNT villain who would it be, Shredder, Krang or Lord Dregg?
- The mutagen responsible for the transformation of Splinter, the Turtles, Bebop, Rocksteady, as well as other characters found throughout the myriad TMNT movies, cartoons, and comics.
Example: If it wasn't for ooze canisters, there would be no such thing as the TMNT.
- Surfer lingo for radical, awesome, outstanding or groovy.
Example: Did you see those contest prizes and TMNT passports from San Diego Comic-Con last year? They were totally tubular, man.
