tausa, noun
- Forms:
- Also tauza.
- Origin:
- IsiZuluShow more Etymology unknown; perhaps related to isiZulu thosa fry, toss, alluding to the jumping actions of the prisoners.
prison slang
The full body inspection which is imposed upon prisoners to detect the hiding of forbidden objects or substances; a sequence of actions performed by prisoners during this inspection (see quotation 1954). Also attributive.
1954 A. Maimane in Drum Mar.Prisoners are made to strip naked and then to jump up in the air, clapping their hands, opening their mouths, and then turning around. That is known as Tausa or as the Zulu dance.
1991 O. Musi in Drum Dec. (Then and Now) 56The notorious ‘tausa’ in the prisons whereby convicts were stripped naked and anally inspected for contraband like dagga.
The full body inspection which is imposed upon prisoners to detect the hiding of forbidden objects or substances; a sequence of actions performed by prisoners during this inspection (see quotation 1954). Also attributive.
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