bombshell

The word 'bombshell' is a compound formed from two Old English and Latin-derived elements. Literally, it originally referred to the hollow iron projectile fired from artillery, designed to explode upon impact. In the early 20th century, its meaning underwent a powerful metaphorical shift; just as a physical bombshell creates a sudden, devastating explosion, a figurative 'bombshell' describes a piece of news that has a similarly shocking and disruptive impact on the public or an individual. A later, distinct figurative sense emerged from 1940s Hollywood slang, comparing the stunning effect of a highly attractive woman to the explosive impact of such news, solidifying the word's association with causing a powerful and sudden reaction.

Structure: bomb + shell bomb: From Latin bombus (a booming sound), via French bombe. In this compound, it carries the sense of an explosive device. shell: From Old English scell (a covering, eggshell). In this compound, it refers to the outer casing of an explosive projectile.