fazza3a فزاعة
Tunisian Derja · noun
“fazza3a” (فزاعة) is a noun in Tunisian Derja meaning waved threat meant to scare.
Meanings
- waved threat meant to scare
- scarecrow (in a field)
Usage
Fazzè3a first refers to a scarecrow placed in a field. In Tunisia, the word is now mostly used figuratively, in political discussions and on social media. It then designates an exaggerated or invented threat waved around to frighten public opinion or divert attention. Common phrasings are "fazzè3a mta3 …" and "yesta3mlou X fazzè3a", "they use X as a bogeyman". You also hear "ma hich fazzè3a" to say that a piece of information is real and not alarmist. The register ranges from everyday to journalistic. The word comes from the root "to be afraid", also found in the verb fazza3, "to frighten".
Example
الإرهاب ولّى فزّاعة يستعملوها السياسيين
el irhab walla fazzè3a yesta3mlouha essiyesiyin
“Terrorism has become a bogeyman that politicians use.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “fazza3a” but also “fazze3a”, “fazzè3a”, “fezza3a” and “fazaa”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 3 is ayn (ع), a voiced sound from deep in the throat with no English equivalent.