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bombshell

[bom-shel]

Origin

noun

a bomb.

something or someone having a sudden and sensational effect: The news of his resignation was a bombshell.

Origin:
1700–10; 1925–30 for def. 2; bomb + shell

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To bombshell

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Bombshell is always a great word to know.

So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:

a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.

a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.

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Collins

World English Dictionary

bombshell (ˈbɒmˌʃɛl)

—n
1.	(esp formerly) a bomb or artillery shell
2.	a shocking or unwelcome surprise: the news of his death was a bombshell
3.	informal an attractive girl or woman (esp in the phrase blonde bombshell)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

bombshell

1708, from bomb + shell.; fig. sense of "shattering or devastating thing or event" attested from 1860. In reference to a pretty woman (esp. a blonde) it is attested from 1942 ("bombshell blonde" as a movie title in reference to U.S. actress Jean Harlow is from 1933).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Slang Dictionary

bomb(shell) definition

n.
a stunning piece of news that is dropped without warning. (See also bomb.) : I am still recovering from your bombshell of last evening.

Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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American Heritage

Idioms & Phrases

bombshell

see drop a bombshell.