Definition
“Bam chicka wow wow” is an onomatopoeic musical phrase that mimics the wah-wah guitar riff commonly used in 1970s pornographic films to signal that a sexual encounter is about to begin. The phrase is not from any specific film or song; rather, it is a cultural shorthand that evolved through parody, imitation, and repetition. The sound — a funky, muted guitar with a wah-wah pedal effect — became so closely associated with the genre that it transcended its origins and entered mainstream comedy as a universal punchline for “something sexy is happening.” The words “bam chicka wow wow” are simply a verbal approximation of that guitar sound, turned into a meme by decades of parody and internet humor.
Why It Matters
“Bam chicka wow wow” matters because it is a perfect example of how audio becomes cultural code. The original wah-wah guitar riff was never famous; it was generic background music for a specific genre of film. But through parody — particularly in 1990s and 2000s sketch comedy, and later on the internet — the sound became detached from its original context and turned into a free-floating signifier of sexual innuendo. It is now used in completely non-sexual contexts: a photo of a particularly attractive sandwich might be captioned “bam chicka wow wow.” The phrase has been sanitized by irony, turning adult-film audio into a family-friendly joke. This is how internet culture metabolizes the taboo: it takes something forbidden, makes it ridiculous, and then makes it harmless.
Example
A cooking show host pulls a perfectly roasted chicken from the oven. The camera zooms in. The host raises an eyebrow. The editor adds a “bam chicka wow wow” sound effect. The audience laughs. The chicken is not sexual. The sound effect is not sexual. But the combination of the two creates a comedic tension that everyone understands. This is the power of cultural shorthand: no explanation is needed because the reference is universal.
The Internet Angle
The internet has turned “bam chicka wow wow” into a ubiquitous meme format. TikTok creators use it as a sound effect for thirst traps, food porn, and pet videos. YouTube compilations of the phrase generate millions of views. The meme is so widespread that many people who use it have no idea of its origins in 1970s adult film music. The internet has completed the work of sanitization that sketch comedy began: “bam chicka wow wow” is now just a funny sound that means “this is appealing.” The pornographic origins are not forgotten, but they are no longer necessary. The meme has outgrown its source.
Related Terms
Wah-Wah, Onomatopoeia, 1970s, Pornography, Comedy, Meme, Sound Effect, TikTok, Sketch Comedy, Innuendo, Parody