Simon Williamson
Back when I spent time in the UK, I was eating breakfast in a hotel one morning when the waitress carrying a coffee pot asked if I would like some coffee. "Just now" I replied with my glintiest grin. "Ok" she said and promptly poured the coffee into my cup.
I was on the verge of a massive irritation attack - something which I am prone to at times - when I realised this poor Moldovan/Polish/Czech/Hungarian/Bulgarian/Serbian woman had probably never heard the term in her life before. In fact, no one outside of South Africa knows what it means. And that's not the only time we confuse them: walking kaalvoet in the lank rainy weather, picking up stompies, stupid mamparas etc leave them scratching their heads, wondering what the devil we're on about.
So for the benefit of those arriving in South Africa for the World Cup, a quick course is required in learning to understand the South African babble we throw your way.
Much like original English adopted (stole) tonnes of words from other languages, South African English has ripped words from the dialects and tongues abundant in this beautiful land of ours.
And this is kaalvoet. Image from spazazen.com
Afrikaans would be the language from which English has borrowed the most words here. We drive bakkies, not pickups, utes or light delivery vehicles. We eat biltong, not jerky. The flossies make salads while the okes cook the braaivleis, after downing a few Klippies. It's pretty shweet.
(L) This is biltong, not jerky. Image from biltong2u.co.uk.
(R) This is a bakkie. Not a ute or a pickup. Image from sanparks.org.
(R) This is a bakkie. Not a ute or a pickup. Image from sanparks.org.
Collectively, our friends/pals/tjommies' names are bru, boet and china.
When we shout "chips" we mean watch out, but if we say it we're giving you either crisps or French fries. Oh, and our farts don't smell - our baffs hone.
Chips, tjips and CHIPS!
Images from (L) thesavannawholesale.co.uk
(C) Wikimedia Common
(R) thelifechangeexperiment.com
Thin people are skraal and old battered cars are skedonks. While you deal with other people's drama, we deal with their snot en trane. Your pictures hang skew while ours are squiff, and you wear trainers instead of tekkies. We waai when we're woes. You leave when you're angry.
(L) A pavement special. Image: Wikimedia Common (R) Tekkies. Image: Michael John Grist
YOU arrive at your friend's house to see their young mongrel, and are hungover after a meal and a few drinks. WE pull in at our mate's pozzie, and when we meet their new pavement special puppy we go "ag shame" or we think it's sif. After a graze and a few dops we feel a bit sat and we crash, expecting a babbelas in the morning.
Coming from KZN where most people in the province speak Zulu, it took me moving to Johannesburg before I referred to a bulldozer as anything other than a gandaganda (correct word is ugandaganda). To this day I still refer to a doctor as the dokotela and an injection as a jova (umjovo). Meetings are often referred to as indabas (a bastardised plural form of the word), motorbikes as istootoot (terrible vomity Anglicised version of isithuthuthu) and trains as stimele (another bad adoption of isitimela). When we're sick we take muti and then dudu.
Isitemela. Photo by iguide.travel
So although it may sound like we're speaking foreign, it's not too higher grade. Print this useful piece out and keep it as you flit around our good land, come across our good people, and wish you were South African.
What other South Africanisms do you know? Post them in the comments section below and we can develop a dictionary.
User Comments
SA SlangSubmitted by Anonymous on Sat, 03/10/2012 - 09:50. |
1-Dont eye me skeef |
all new info,muchSubmitted by Eusebio Kindle on Fri, 02/11/2011 - 21:26. |
all new info,much appreciated,keep it comin' |
i am a proud africanSubmitted by How To Sing on Tue, 01/25/2011 - 11:35. |
i am a proud african |
bakkieSubmitted by Patz on Tue, 08/31/2010 - 11:11. |
I am going to visit your country and I want a very huge, durable bakkie to ride me safely to my hotel. OK? |
This is so crazy how theSubmitted by inter4522@24.com on Sun, 08/08/2010 - 20:27. |
This is so crazy how the language barriers work. I love talking to other people from other countries. I think it is so good. accutane lawsuit |
Soft-SofaSubmitted by Soft-Sofa on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 09:56. |
keep up work. |
So talk properly, America!Submitted by Clarice on Fri, 07/16/2010 - 12:14. |
So talk properly, America! atv for sale |
new polo shirtsSubmitted by Abercrombie Fitch Polo on Thu, 07/15/2010 - 05:52. |
It is useful for me,thanks for your nice share. |
walk in tubsSubmitted by walk in tubs on Mon, 07/12/2010 - 04:32. |
Helpful and informative article.keep up work. |
I think your kind reminderSubmitted by Susancai@24.com on Mon, 06/07/2010 - 03:09. |
I think your kind reminder is worth accepting. " When in rome do as the romans do" It's nice to share that. walk in tubs |
Re: kakSubmitted by gt24.editor.simon on Mon, 04/12/2010 - 09:19. |
Thanks for your comment Roland. Please feel free to send a better execution to info@gotravel24.com. Regards, |
KakSubmitted by Roland on Sun, 04/11/2010 - 09:16. |
This article is kak. Many of these words are not universal to all of SA and seem to come from JHB and KZN mostly. And frankly some of them are a bit obscure. How often do I need to use the word bulldozer in an avergae sentence? Especially if I'm a SWC visitor? Eish! Coulda been a much better done... |
another weblinkSubmitted by jurie on Fri, 03/12/2010 - 13:13. |
http://www.southafrica.info/travel/advice/saenglish.htm |
Re: Just nowSubmitted by gt24.editor.simon on Fri, 03/12/2010 - 10:02. |
Dear John Gray, Thanks for your comment. I think Collette has commented what I would have replied to you anyway. Thanks for your input. Regards, |
John GraySubmitted by Colleen on Fri, 03/12/2010 - 09:55. |
Dear John Your arrogance and condescending manner is reflective of the colonialist British Empire that we can only assume you aspire to. Feel free to visit our rainbow nation and enjoy the melting pot of cultures that make us so strong, then please leave. Your type of attitude of comeuppance is not welcome in our sunshine, you may educate others in your superior language at home. With love an English South African who enjoys our quirky lingo |
Lets GoSubmitted by Anonymous on Fri, 03/12/2010 - 09:50. |
MONKEY GLAND SAUCE> DRONK VERDRIET>>>>>> These are huge! So lekker to be a pure SA |
John Gray - what rubbish!Submitted by Colette on Fri, 03/12/2010 - 09:38. |
Virtually every single South African I know refers to "just now" as a time in the not too distant future. We are all aware that this is not grammatically correct, but use it nevertheless! |
careful of pronounciationSubmitted by Anonymous on Fri, 03/12/2010 - 09:02. |
The only problem with writing our Suth Efricen (isms) is that written is different to spoken. An english person will pronounce Woes as Woes (i.e) Weakling vs Voes (woes) as in angry. Just a thought to keep in mind - I am not sure how many okes would appreciate being called a Woes vs being Voes |
John Gray, you are a d*ckSubmitted by dex0968 on Fri, 03/12/2010 - 08:57. |
John Gray, you are a d*ck head. You are obviously not South African! |
Just nowSubmitted by John Gray on Fri, 03/12/2010 - 08:33. |
Simon, the term 'just now' means immediately or something that has just happened, the immediate past. Never future. The waitress was correct. |
Here Goes: (pronounciationSubmitted by Anonymous on Fri, 03/12/2010 - 08:05. |
Here Goes: (pronounciation in brackets) Voetsak (Foot-sack) - means get lost! etc. etc. [Moderated by Editor] |
HIER IS NOG N PAAR WAT NIESubmitted by Anonymous on Fri, 03/12/2010 - 07:55. |
HIER IS NOG N PAAR WAT NIE ALREEDS GENOEM IS NIE. JOU KLEIN KAKHUIS |
WebsiteSubmitted by Anonymous on Fri, 03/12/2010 - 07:42. |
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_South_African_slang_words |
SlangSubmitted by Anonymous on Fri, 03/12/2010 - 07:40. |
Hey you damdyker,feel like a dop en dam (fishing by the dam en make a dop!) |
miss callSubmitted by Anonymous on Fri, 03/12/2010 - 00:17. |
(Bohemia1973 - poor kid indeed) Makes me think - "I'm going to give you a smack" is not quite the same as "Ek klap jou sommer". "Give me a miss call" can be useful to know too. |
Speaking South AfricanismsSubmitted by Julie Goosen on Fri, 03/12/2010 - 00:09. |
gevaar means danger |
jipSubmitted by rehan on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 23:56. |
agree with Anonymous - SA'isms; "did you get my sms?" or "sms me" will cause some blank, question mark faces. So might - "turn right and the building is left" (turn to your right and the building will be on your left hand side) |
Praat lekkerSubmitted by Anonymous on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 23:06. |
FL - condom |
LekkerSubmitted by Anonymous on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 23:04. |
RONDAVEL |
SEF EFFRIKASubmitted by Anonymous on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 22:59. |
Parktown Prawn - a huge ugly cockroach |
translationsSubmitted by Anonymous on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 22:30. |
Johannesburg = joburg |
gaaning aanSubmitted by Anonymous on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 22:18. |
fongkong - fake Great article |
KerfufflarSubmitted by Anonymous on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 21:43. |
hanahana - much used not sure what it means.. |
Jislaaik Man ....Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 21:16. |
And the words and expressions just keep evolving. On my last visit home I leaned this one: my/your/his/her "come-again-back" ...like when you bust up and are then bef*# enough to get together again! |
Inglish ja.Submitted by Proffie on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 21:07. |
Sommer thought I'd gooi in my 2 pennies worth. I think 'ayoba' is a fairly new word, never heard it before mtm started using it. Opposite would be zef. I think when the Yanks arrive in their lank larnie shirts and zef tekkies, they'll be checked out from a long way away. They'll think its ayoba, and as for the pommies in their socks and sandals, tekkies would be the in thing as well as lekker jeans. Their denims they can leave behind in lalaland. Ag well, ja no fine. I'll come check now now to see if any okes have added anyting new. This is a kwaai article Simon, knap gedaan. Cheers, gotta go check out the braai.. |
Thank youSubmitted by Anonymous on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 15:38. |
Howzit!! |
PartySubmitted by HeliumDee on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 13:00. |
Party at the lake : Dam jolliepatrollie |
Talk properly, chinaSubmitted by Sabine Rahn on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 12:51. |
Cool article - don't forget of our ROBOTS, our BUNNY CHOW and our GATSBY!! |
our poor kids ...Submitted by Bohemia1973 on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 12:24. |
Homegrown, even our kids battle ... My 11yr old son was playfighting with another boy at school. Meaning to say "I am going to smack you very hard" in Afrikaans, he instead said "EK SMAAK JOU STUKKEND" !!! |
Howzit broerSubmitted by Anonymous on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 12:08. |
I tried to get an autograph from Will Smith when he cam to South Africa, as he walked pass me, i shouted 'Howzit Broer', he looked at me and then carried on walking, i thought to myself what an a hole, but then i realized that he probably didn't have a clue what that meant. |
English language originsSubmitted by ange on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 12:01. |
Old and Middle English are Germanic languages. Modern English has. however, been influenced by French and Latin and practically every language on the planet so it no longer has a true Germanic character. It is now a hybrid language. |
Check hierdie moveSubmitted by Anonymous on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 11:41. |
One I find particularly amusing: Hold my dop and check hierdie move! Inadvertently followed by something disastrous. |
Dig itSubmitted by Gavin on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 11:36. |
This is so classic, it's about time we laughed at ourselves, here are a few more: Then there is the mix: I suppose if we really sat down and thought about them, the list would grow forever, there are so many sayings that have come and gone through the years. |
Germanic LanguagesSubmitted by Anonymous on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 11:31. |
@English is not a Germanic language. The Saxons were a confederation of Germanic tribes. If you have ever read the Canterbury Tales by Chaucer, and are able to speak German, the correlations between Old English and German are very clear. The Germanic language "closest" to English is Dutch. Look, for instance, at the similarities between the English "sheep", German "Schaf", Dutch "schaap" and Afrikaans "skaap", or the English "milk", German "Milch", and Dutch and Afrikaans "melk". |
re "@english is not a germanic language"Submitted by Mike on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 11:02. |
It's also worth looking up Anglo-Saxons. It can leave you in no doubt that English is most definitely a Germanic language. |
That sounds like a kakSubmitted by FDR on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 10:20. |
That sounds like a kak storie! What to do now...? Kyk Noord en ... How's about a few new terms, picked up on our travels to other parts of the world: |
Seffrikan EnglishSubmitted by Margaret Mead on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 10:06. |
Thanks very much. I think this will be most useful, especially for the member of our family who visit us from the UK and other far flung places. Although I like 'Queens English' in a formal situation, whether written or spoken, I also love the flavourful South African expressions. I'm not sure how I would communicate here without them. You didn't mention 'floeking' (swearing), hardegat, 'naais' (nice), 'now now' (same as just now), and tjommie (friend). I guess there are just too many of them, eh? Didn't somebody write a whole book about this. If not, maybe you should. One of my favourites is 'seriaas', as mentioned by somone else. Great fun. |
@english is not a germanic langaugeSubmitted by The English langauge on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 10:02. |
Herewith an extract from Wikipedia regarding the English language. Old English (Englisc), also called Anglo-Saxon,[1] is an early form of the English language that was spoken and written in parts of what are now England and south-eastern Scotland between at least the mid-5th century and the mid-12th century. What survives through writing represents primarily the literary register of Anglo-Saxon. It is a West Germanic language and is closely related to Old Frisian. It also experienced heavy influence from Old Norse, a member of the related North Germanic group of languages. |
RobotsSubmitted by Mike on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 09:56. |
I was interested to see the word robots - for traffic lights - mentioned as a South Africanism. I'm originally from Yorkshire in the UK. In the west the old people always referred to them as robots (or robuts in the local dialect) |
Sterkte!Submitted by Ag dis lekker hier on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 09:42. |
Don't forget "Sterkte!" I have not found an english word for this, when you wish someone well in tough times. |
