cool beans

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /kuːl biːnz/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Rhymes: -iːnz

Interjection

cool beans

1. (childish) A humorous and lighthearted nonsense phrase indicating approval or mild excitement: great, wow.
   • 1978, Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong, Up in Smoke, Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong (Cheech & Chong) (actors), Los Angeles, Calif.: Paramount Home Video, →OCLC:

     Cheech: “Hey man, look at this car made out of weed!” / Chong: “Oh cool beans, man!”

   • 1985, Marlene Fanta Shyer, Grandpa Ritz and the Luscious Lovelies, New York, N.Y.: Scribner, →ISBN, page 30:

     ‘It’s cool beans!’ That’s what Betsy always says when she thinks something is fantastic, and I couldn’t help wondering what she’d say if she could see me now.

References

• J[onathan] E. Lighter (2007), Historical Dictionary of American Slang, volume 2, New York, N.Y.: Random House Publishing, →ISBN.