Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A greeting gesture in which the thumb and little finger are extended while curling the three middle fingers in a semi-fist. Used to express a variety of positive meanings including "all right", "hello" and "goodbye".

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Origin uncertain. 'Shaka' is not a word or sound combination in the Hawaiian language.

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Examples

  • "He was pointing out the Hawaiian flag on the carpet [in the White House], saying 'shaka' -- local boy," Mr. Obama said.

    Political Punch 2009

  • He was pointing out the Hawaiian flag on the carpet in there, saying "shaka" -- local boy.

    The Phanatic Magazine 2009

  • He was pointing out the Hawaiian flag on the carpet in there, saying "shaka" -- local boy.

    The Phanatic Magazine 2009

  • "He was pointing out the Hawaiian flag on the carpet [in the White House], saying 'shaka' -- local boy," Mr. Obama said.

    Political Punch 2009

  • (The logic of dubbing fried chicken pieces as "shaka shaka chicken" still eludes this gaijin.)

    McSushi 2009

  • During the parade did you catch Obama flashing what's called the shaka sign?

    CNN Transcript Jan 21, 2009 2009

  • During the parade, did you catch Obama flashing what's called the shaka sign?

    CNN Transcript Jan 22, 2009 2009

  • At one point, Mr. Obama flashed a pinkie and thumb salute, known as a shaka sign, to the band from the Punahou School in Hawaii, his alma mater. google.

    Amygdala 2009

  • According to www. to-hawaii.com, "the shaka is a simple yet powerful way to remind locals and visitors of the way people look out for each other on the islands and strive to spread aloha day in and day out, in keeping with the Hawaiian principle of malama i kekahi i kekahi, - take care of one, take care of all."

    Kentucky.com: Homepage 2009

  • The Warriors then performed a shaka, which is a traditional Hawaiian greeting gesture.

    ESPN.com 2009

Comments

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  • A Hawaiian hand gesture of greeting. Hand up, with index, middle and ring finger curled down leaving only the thumb and pinky pointing upwards in a Y-shape.

    June 12, 2009