zunzum

Portuguese

Alternative forms

• zum-zum
• zum-zum-zum

Etymology

Onomatopoeic.

Pronunciation

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): /zũˈzũ/

• (Portugal) IPA^(key): /zũˈzũ/

• Rhymes: -ũ
• Hyphenation: zun‧zum

Noun

zunzum m (plural zunzuns)

1. humming; buzzing
2. (figuratively) indistinct noise
3. (figuratively, informal) buzz, rumor; gossip

   Synonyms: boato, rumor, fofoca

   • 1940, Vicente Paiva, Luiz Peixoto (lyrics and music), “Disseram que Voltei Americanizada”, performed by Carmen Miranda:

     Disseram que com as mãos estou preocupada
     E corre por aí que eu sei certo zum-zum
     Que já não tenho molho, ritmo, nem nada
     E dos balangandãs já nem existe mais nenhum

     They said that I'm worried about my hands
     And word is going around that I know of some buzz
     That I no longer have charm, rhythm, or anything
     And none of the jewelry exist anymore

Quotations

For quotations using this term, see Citations:zunzum.