mamba（n.）
非洲撒哈拉以南地区一种大型有毒蛇的名称，可追溯至1859年，源自祖鲁语 (i)mamba 或斯瓦希里语 mamba。
"Now about snakes. I have never forgotten your quiet, dignified unbelief in my snake histories, and have taken every opportunity of finding out all I can about them; more particularly of the 'mamba' or chasing snake. It is a most vicious creature, and will chase you a mile. You must ride hard if one makes for you. It reaches sixteen or eighteen feet, and has the power of erecting itself on its tail when in pursuit of its object; then throwing itself down and rushing on twenty yards or so, and then rearing up again: and so on, till it comes to some bush or tree, round which it throws its strong tail, and then strikes right and left at its enemies." [Journal of the Society of Arts, March 11, 1859]
"现在谈谈蛇。我从未忘记过你对我的蛇故事的安静、庄重的不信任，一直利用一切机会了解蛇的一切； 尤其是‘mamba’或追逐蛇。这是一种非常凶恶的生物，会追你一英里。如果有一条蛇向你袭来，你必须骑得快。它可以长达十六或十八英尺，有能力在追逐目标时竖起自己的尾巴； 然后扔下自己，冲上二十码左右，然后再次竖起：如此往复，直到它来到某些灌木丛或树木周围，在那里用它强壮的尾巴绕着，然后向左右两侧打击它的敌人。" [《艺术协会杂志》，1859年3月11日]
该词起源时间：1859年