wau, interjection
- Forms:
- Also whau, wow.
- Origin:
- IsiZuluShow more Adaptation of isiZulu wawu or wo.
obs.
An exclamation expressing wonder, dismay, despair, or regret. Cf. hau. So wau intransitive verb, to exclaim ‘wau’.
1887 J.W. Matthews Incwadi Yami 326This sight was enough..to make all the Zulus stop work and ‘wau’ with curiosity.
1925 D. Kidd Essential Kafir 38They have many very expressive exclamations, such as ‘Yo!’ when they wish to show contempt, ‘Hau!’ when they show surprise, ‘Wow!’ and many other similar utterances.
An exclamation expressing wonder, dismay, despair, or regret.
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