Easter egg
Meaning: A hidden feature, message, or joke secretly included in software, games, movies, or websites.
Easter eggs are intentional secrets planted by creators for observant fans to discover. In video games, they might be hidden rooms or references. In movies, they're subtle nods to other films. Google is famous for Easter eggs in their search engine. Finding an Easter egg gives you insider status — proof that you paid closer attention than most.
Examples
- There's an Easter egg in the game — if you go to that building at midnight, a secret door opens. 这游戏里有个彩蛋——半夜去那栋楼,会打开一扇隐藏的门。Hay un Easter egg en el juego — si vas a ese edificio a medianoche, se abre una puerta secreta.このゲームにはイースターエッグがあるよ——真夜中にあの建物に行くと秘密のドアが開くんだ。이 게임에 이스터에그가 있어——자정에 저 건물에 가면 비밀의 문이 열려.
- Google has so many Easter eggs — try searching 'do a barrel roll. Google有好多彩蛋——试试搜索'do a barrel roll'。Google tiene un montón de Easter eggs — prueba a buscar 'do a barrel roll'.Googleにはイースターエッグがたくさんあるよ——「do a barrel roll」って検索してみて。구글에는 이스터에그가 엄청 많아——'do a barrel roll'이라고 검색해 봐.
- Marvel movies are packed with Easter eggs referencing the comics. 漫威电影里到处都是致敬漫画的彩蛋。Las películas de Marvel están llenas de Easter eggs que hacen referencia a los cómics.マーベル映画はコミックを参照したイースターエッグだらけだ。마블 영화에는 원작 만화를 참조한 이스터에그가 가득해.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: gaming, movies, software, pop culture
Tone: excited, insider
✓ Do Say
- Did you find the Easter egg?你找到那个彩蛋了吗?¿Encontraste el Easter egg?イースターエッグ見つけた?이스터에그 찾았어?
- That movie is full of Easter eggs.那部电影到处都是彩蛋。Esa película está llena de Easter eggs.あの映画はイースターエッグだらけだよ。그 영화 이스터에그 가득해.
✗ Don't Say
- Don't spoil Easter eggs without warning — the whole point is the joy of discovery. Always use spoiler warnings别不打招呼就剧透彩蛋——彩蛋的意义就在于发现的乐趣。一定要加剧透提醒No desveles Easter eggs sin avisar — todo el sentido está en la alegría de descubrirlos. Usa siempre avisos de spoilerネタバレ注意なしにイースターエッグをバラさないで——ポイントは発見する喜びなんだから。必ずネタバレ注意をつけよう경고 없이 이스터에그를 스포일러하지 마라——핵심은 발견의 기쁨이다. 항상 스포일러 경고를 해라
Origin & History
The first known software Easter egg was hidden in the 1980 Atari game 'Adventure' by programmer Warren Robinett, who hid his name in a secret room. The term was borrowed from the tradition of Easter egg hunts, where hidden items are meant to be discovered.
Cultural Context
Era: 1980 gaming, 2000s mainstream
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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