shaka
English
![](../I/m/Gesture_raised_fist_with_thumb_and_pinky_lifted.jpg)
The shaka
Etymology
Origin uncertain. Shaka is not a word in the Hawaiian language, which lacks the /ʃ/ sound.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈʃɑːkə/
- Rhymes: -ɑːkə
Noun
shaka (plural shakas)
- A greeting gesture in which the thumb and little finger are extended while curling the three middle fingers in a semi-fist. Used to express a variety of positive meanings including "all right", "hello" and "goodbye".
- 2008, December 27, photo caption, Reuters:
- US President-elect Obama flashes the 'shaka' before he greets a crowd […]
- 2008, December 27, photo caption, Reuters:
Usage notes
- Associated with Hawaii and with sports such as surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, and skydiving.
Synonyms
See also
Shaka sign on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
Albanian
Etymology
From Ottoman Turkish şaka (joke). Others propose Proto-Indo-European *yek- (“to speak”). Compare Latin iocus (“joke, jest”), Italian gioco (“game, prank, joke”) (compare Apulian dialect 'sheik' joke, prank), Old High German jehan, Welsh iaith, Breton jez.
Noun
shaka f (indefinite plural shaka, definite singular shakaja, definite plural shakatë)
French
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ʃɛ.ka/
- Homophones: shakas, shakât
Swahili
Related terms
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