The story
Imitative of a plaintive descending four-note trumpet or trombone sound, like G–F♯–F–E, articulated with a plunger mute, played during game shows to indicate a player losing.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Today it means: Used, sometimes mockingly, to indicate failure or disappointment. Full definition →
Imitative of a plaintive descending four-note trumpet or trombone sound, like G–F♯–F–E, articulated with a plunger mute, played during game shows to indicate a player losing.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.