mau-mau

¹

[ mou-mou ]

verb (used with object)

, Slang.

1. to terrorize, intimidate, or threaten.

Mau Mau

²

[ mou mou ]

noun

, plural Mau Maus, (especially collectively) Mau Mau.

1. a member of a revolutionary society in Kenya, established in the early 1950s, that consisted chiefly of Kikuyu and engaged in terrorist activities in an attempt to drive out the European settlers and to give government control to the native Kenyans.

Mau Mau

/ ˈmaʊ ˌmaʊ /

noun

1. a secret political society consisting chiefly of Kikuyu tribesmen that was founded in 1952 to drive European settlers from Kenya by acts of terrorism
2. slang.
   a Ugandan motorcycle policeman who directs traffic

Word History and Origins

Origin of mau-mau¹

1970; coined by Tom Wolfe in Radical Chic and Mau-Mauing the Flak Catchers; Mau Mau

Origin of mau-mau²

From Kikuyu

Example Sentences

So this narrative was created: These are the new African American leaders who aren't hung up on the old racial mau-mau stuff, etc.

From The Daily Beast

I doubt most Americans have a clue about the Mau Mau Revolution, including me.

From The Daily Beast

The problem is that Huckabee talked in the same breath about the Mau Mau Revolution, which happened in Kenya.

From The Daily Beast

These ledges around Hale-mau-mau are very dangerous to stand upon.

From Project Gutenberg

Hale-mau-mau (House of Endless Fire), well did the natives name it.

From Project Gutenberg