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.
