vuka, verb intransitive

Forms:
Also vuga.
Origin:
IsiXhosa, isiZuluShow more IsiXhosa and isiZulu.
To wake up; usually imperative. Also figurative.
1911 D.B. Hook ’Tis but Yesterday 120The bush seemed swarming with beaters, who plunged demon-like into the hidden recesses of the deepest kloofs and thickets, accompanied by yelping dogs, and the call of ‘Vuka!’ (wake up).
1947 F.C. Slater Sel. Poems 58 (title)‘Vuka!’
1961 D. Bee Children of Yesterday 265‘Vuka! Vuka! Vukani! Wake up! Vuka-a-ani — bo!’
1964 G. Gordon Four People 68Vuka! S’you think we’ve got all bloody day and night?
1978 L. Barnes in The 1820 Vol.51 No.12, 19Many Zulu words have crept into South African Indian English...Some of the most commonly used are: Skoten (from isikhoteni) — a rogue,..vuga — awake, skats, skatools (isicathulo) shoes, [etc.].
1980 Daily Dispatch 27 Oct. 8Dear Bennie, Ever since you advised Bonus Bond-holders to ‘Vuka’ (Wake up) we have watched the draw very carefully and, believe it or not, one of our numbers came up again, this time for R300.
To wake up; usually imperative. Also figurative.
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19111980