wayang

Meanings

1. A theatrical performance of mythological events employing puppets or human dancers in Malaysia and Indonesia (especially Java).
2. A shadow theatre performance, or such performances in general.
3. Any traditional theatrical work, combining drama, music, song and sometimes dance.
4. Traditional Chinese opera, performed outdoors. The equivalent term in Mandarin is 街戲 /街戏 (jiēxì, literally “street opera”).
5. Insincere behaviour; an act meant to deceive or mislead.

1. To put up a front, to pretend (e.g., to be hard at work when one’s superiors are watching) or behave in a false and misleading way, especially if it puts one at an advantage.

1. For show, insincere or fake; ostentatious and showy.

Etymology

Transliteration of Javanese ꦮꦪꦁ (wayang, “shadow; imagination; puppetry”), from Old Javanese wayaṅ via Malay wayang. Cognate with Dutch wajang.