On the etymology of "Jazza"

'Jazza' in formal Arabic is a kind of a sharp word. It literaly means 'to cut'. More frequently used with grass... so 'jazza al 3osheb' is to 'mow the grass' (or the lawn).

The slang version (vernacular) of it is a bit more complicated, and it varies from one place to another. In Aleppo, for instance, we pronounce it 'Jazhzha' with a heavy 'Z'. It has many meanings. Let me cite some examples:

- 'Jazzitoh': means 'I beat him' (more like in a game of chess or cards, less in games like tennis or arm wreslting).

- 'Jazzitoh' (of a paragraph): like when you're in an exam and you've got a tough question asking you to repeat an entire paragraph or a chapter from your biology textbook, verbatime. If you got it all right, then you say: 'jazzitoh', which means you've nail it. You got it right from begining to end.

- 'Jazzitah': now this is seldom used, as far as I know. It means to have sex with a woman or a girl. But then there are 700 slangs which can pass for such meaning. It's still used though, I am kind of sure of that (don't ask me how).

- 'Jazzho': that's when someone screws somebody on paper. Like when a teacher gives low marks for a student. Or when your amiable colleague at work screws you with a bad report to the management. Or when the timekeeper strikes an 'abscent' next to your name on the time sheet. (it's a work of a pen, basically, like in the case of grass cutter, know what 'am sayin'?) I remember this vividly since we had a female timekeeper when I worked for one of the public sector establishments in Syria. She had large boobs and used to chew on a larger gum. She was always bored and the most exciting moment for her was when someone snuck out of the office while she was turned sideways to talk on the phone (which would usually last for hours), she'd catch their reflection on the window and nail them on the sheet. If they manage to come back before the end of work hours, then they might start imploring her: 'dakhilik la tejizzini' (please don't strike an 'abscent' next to my name). This is a gesture usually performed with your knees bent a little and your arms pushed forward and your fingers entwined.


Now for the English version of Jazza. As it might probably be obvious to you, Jazza is not a real word. But it's a common slang. Check out the Urban Dictionary definition:

"Jazza

The name Jazza refers to someone who’s amazingly awesome.

“Wow I wish I was Jazza so I could get all those hot chicks.” (said the real nick)"

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P.S. feel free to add your variations to the comments' section.