adjective
of or relating to Brazilians or their culture.
noun, plural
Bra·zu·
cas.
1. a Brazilian emigres living outside of Brazil.
2. a foreign-born offspring of a Brazilian emigres.
abbreviations, variations
1. Braza
• nickname for Brazil, or a Brazilian
2. Zuca
• abbreviation of Brazuca
Origins
The term was coined in
Portugal, initially with a derogatory character, as opposed to the term "portuga". In this country, the reduction "zuca" is also used, with the same meaning.
Over
time, Brazilians appropriated the term, which came to be used to refer to themselves in a haughty manner, similar to the Portuguese adoption of the term "tuga" (reduction of "portuga").
A relevant fact about this adoption was the election of the term "Brazuca" to be the
name of the official
ball of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, held in Brazil. The
name was chosen with more than
77% of the votes. This fact was also important for having allowed the term to become known internationally.
Little Brazil is New York's
famous Brazuca neighborhood, home to the annual
Brazilian Day festival.
Kelvyn is an emigres from Brazil. He is a Brazuca, and so is his son Shiloh, who was born in the
USA.
