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In Swahili (the lingua franca of East Africa): someone who wanders without purpose / someone constantly on the move.
It came to be applied to all white people in East Africa, as most were encountered as traders, visiting colonial officials or tourists.
Today, white tourists are often greeted (especially by children) with the cry: "Bye bye mzungu!"
For some reason, they rarely say "Hello mzungu!" when they see one coming...
Child: "Bye bye mzungu!"
Indignant white person: "Listen, it's 'hello mzungu!' - and anyway, I've lived here for 25 years, you cheeky devil."
Child: (pause) "Bye bye mzungu!"
or
Ugandan Stall-holder: "A bowl of passion fruit? Um... that'll be 3,000 shillings please."
Indignant white person: "Come again? I'm not paying mzungu prices, I've lived here 25 years!" etc. etc.
mzungu by Mzungu mulalu April 10, 2008
Word of the Day on April 11, 2024
Related Words
I taught at a school where there were 4 African teachers, 2 Asian teachers, and 1 Mzungu.
mzungu by brx63 May 8, 2007
The Swahili word, ‘mzungu’ or ‘muzungu’ (sounds like “muh-zun-gooo”) is generally taken to mean ‘white man’, although it does apply to women as well.

It can also mean some sort of ‘boss’, whether you are male or female, black, brown or white!

Originally stems from the phrase, “those who wonder aimlessly”, and linked to African experiences of early explorers, traders and missionaries.

In itself mzungu is not a derogatory or negative term. Although it can appear aggressive or negative if accompanied with requests for money.
Mzungu! Mzungu! I help you?

The mzungu is coming soon, he can pay.

Bye bye mzungu!
Mzungu by polishing peanuts January 12, 2011
Muzungu is a word from the languages of Kinyarwanda and Kirundi meaning "white person" (pl. 'bazungu'). It is closely related to the Kiswahili word 'mzungu', with which it is often confused by Westerners. A derivative is the derogatory 'kazungu' meaning 'little white person'.
mzungu by Keithl_london August 9, 2006
A racial slur directed towards people of European decent.
"The Mzungu has no soul"
Mzungu by Thehazer August 15, 2020

Mujungus 

Bigger than big. Huger than huger. Larger than larger.
Created by a 3 year old.
To a 3 year old, a bass drum might appear to be mujungus.
Mujungus by Cinnamania March 19, 2009
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