If you were wondering what Shakira was doing when she turned to the camera during her Super Bowl performance and made a high pitched sound while wagging her tongue, it turns out her “tongue thing” has a name and history behind it. I saw “Uluation” trending on twitter and thought that was the proper name of what I just saw. Nope.

From Vocabulary.com:

Ululation is a howling or wailing sound. In many cultures, the sound of ululation is common at a funeral, while in others the mourners only sniffle quietly. Ululation is often mournful and it’s always full of emotion.

What Shakira did wasn’t sad, it was joyous! That’s when I learned about “Zaghrouta.”

According to the American Tunisian Association

It’s a “long, wavering high-pitched vocal soul representing trills of joy,” usually heard at weddings and parties.

The internet doesn’t care what it is actually called, they just know they have a new favorite meme.

Susan Saunders 2/3/20