List of South African slang words

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Contents
1 Afrikanerisms
2 Words from Khoi San languages
3 Words from Xhosa, Zulu and the other Nguni Languages
4 Words from Sesotho and Setswana Languages
5 Words from Portuguese
6 Original South African English coinages
7 Slang originating from other countries
8 Slang terms originating from ethnic minorities
8.1 South African slang
8.2 South African Portuguese slang
8.3 South African Indian slang
8.4 South African Jewish slang
8.5 South African Lebanese slang
9 Special-use slang
9.1 Kasi / township slang
9.2 Gay slang also called 'gayle'
10 See also
11 Example
12 References
13 External links
Afrikanerisms
This list of "Afrikanerisms" comprises slang words and phrases influenced by Afrikaans and other
African languages. Typical users include people with Afrikaans as their first language but who
speak English as a second language; and people living in areas where the population speaks
both English and Afrikaans. Many of these terms also occur widely amongst ethnic/native South
Africans. These terms do not occur in formal South African English. Fanakalo also refers to when
people of non Zulu origin attempt to speak Zulu without the proper pronunciation and throat
sounds. Fanakalo in Zulu literally means "same as this" (fana same, ka as, lo this).
ag man oh man; ag as the Afrikaans equivalent to "oh" (pronounced \ach\ like German
ACHtung), man pronounced as in English.
antie an older female authority figure. [Derived from the English "aunt".]
anties breasts
aweh/awe (pronounced \AAAH-WHERE\ --> not rolling the "R") said in excitement, as in:
Aweh; my boss said I can go home early today. The word has many meanings or uses: "hello",
"goodbye", "yes". Also associated with prison use. (Greeting) "Aweh, my bru." (Hello my friend).
Similar: howzit, yooit, hoesit, yo.
baas boss
babbelbekkie Someone who talks a lot
babelaas / babbelas hangover (of Zulu origin)
bakgat cool; expression of appreciation for something very well accomplished
bakkie a utility truck or pick-up truck, now a mainstream word in South African English. Can
also refer to a small container.
bakvissie a giggly teenage girl (from bakvis, a fish too small to be kept and thrown back into
the water).
bale (TV) used to signify annoyance (pronounced barlee)
befok really good, exciting, cool; as in "The rock-show was befok." [Do not confuse with
gefok.] Can also mean "crazy" in a very strong sense, as in "Are you befok?" derogatory. Can

also mean "to have sex with".

bek derogatory term for mouth (Afrikaans: an animal's mouth); Hou jou bek! "shut up!" ,
"Shut your trap!" (literally: "hold your [animal's] mouth"). This translates well into British English as
"Shut your gob."
bergie from Afrikaans berg, which translates to "mountain", originally referring to vagrants
who sheltered in the forests of Table Mountain; now a mainstream word for a particular subculture
of vagrants, or homeless persons, especially in Cape Town.
bill used to ask for the cheque; as in: "Can I have the bill, please?", identical to British
English.
biltong dried meat, similar to jerky (a mainstream word)
blerrie/bladdy hell damn/damnit
bliksem strike, hit, punch; also used as an expression of surprise/emphasis. It derives from
the Dutch word for "lightning", and often occurs in conjunction with donner. Used as a curse in
Afrikaans: "Jou bliksem!" (You bastard!)
bioscope, bio cinema, movie theatre (now dated), originally an international English word that
became defunct elsewhere, it has survived longer in South Africa[1] as a result of the influence of
the Afrikaans cognate bioskoop. Also related to the Dutch word "bioscoop", which still means
"cinema" in Netherlands usage.
blou being sad, as in the English language feeling blue
bloutrein literally "blue train", referring to methylated spirits, sometimes used for drinking
(filtered through a loaf of white bread). Also refers to the Blue Train (two words), a luxury train that
travels from Pretoria to Cape Town.
boer literally "farmer" in Afrikaans. English-speaking people use the word to indicate an
Afrikaans farmer, especially in a derogatory way, like "country bumpkin", "boorish"; but Afrikaners
use it with much pride, indicating a person with a deep love of the soil of Africa, a provider of food.
boere (the plural form) can also refer to the police. "Boer" does not only refer to an Afrikaans
farmer, but also to a proudly Afrikaans person, whether he farms for a living or not.
boerewors popular type of sausage in South Afric. In Afrikaans, literally "farmer-sausage",
used as a mainstream word in South African English.
boet male friend (from boetie, informal form of broer meaning brother, see also bru and bra
below); compare American English: "dude"
bokkie (diminutive of bok, literally meaning "little buck" or "doe") a popular term of
endearment, comparable to "sweetheart", "honey", etc.
boom Literal translation is "tree" but is commonly used to refer to marijuana
bosberaad strategy meeting held outdoors, for example in a game reserve
bossies, or bosbefok crazy, whacko, mad. Also a term for one who has shell shock. Refers to
the time of the South African Border War where soldiers spent time in the bush ("bos/bosse") and
would return home suffering battle flash-backs (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
bradley - vagina
brak mongrel dog, can also refer to brackish water.
broekie panties or ladies underwear. From Afrikaans: broek, meaning "trousers". Common
usage: "Don't get your broekies in a knot" which means "Calm down".
broekie lace ornate ironwork found on Victorian buildings (lit. 'pantie lace'), the tie that you
find on board shorts
bra male friend
bru A term of affection. (see also "bra" and "boet"). Shortened from Afrikaans broer, meaning
"brother". An example would be "Hey, my bru, howzit?"
buk Put your head down quickly, as in "Buk when you go in the door, it's really low."
button mandrax tablet (Slang Only)
braai a barbecue, to barbecue (from braaivleis - grilled meat), used as a mainstream word in
South African English.
cheekyprawn a term of foul abuse
cherry "meddie", see tjerrie
china/chine a friend; as in the greeting Howzit my china? Likely origin: Cockney rhyming
slang "China plate" (meaning "my mate"); from early British immigrants.
chan a derogatory term for an overweight, metrosexual South African. (likely origin: derived

from the slang term china/chine). Also used as a variation to bru and bra.
chommie/chomma a friend (similar to English "chum"); also refers to the perineum area
between vagina and anus. Also spelled tjommie.
choty goty beautiful girl
chrisco a party/disco where Christian music mainly features. A combination of the words
'Christian' and 'Disco'.
Chwee chweereekeys getting high
cuiter somebody one has a strong dislike for. It has a similar meaning to the word cunt in the
English language.
cullis young girl who is extremely lead.
dagga most commonly used word for marijuana.
dikbek grumpy, in a huff (literally: "thick mouth" (pout), with an image of puffed-out cheeks
like a bullfrog)
dinges thingamabob, a wotzit or a whatchamacallit. Dutch - dinges.
doos literally the Afrikaans translation for "box". Depending on context, the slang/derogatory
version can mean prat, twat or idiot.
domkop idiot (lit. Dumbhead), same as German "Dummkopf" or Dutch "domkop"
donner to beat up. Used together with "bliksem". Derived from "donder" (thunder, related to
Thor). Amounts to an ancient curse. Like "Nick i'm going to donner you"
dof stupid or slow to understand.
dop alcohol, to drink alcohol, to fail. For example: "Come and drink a dop (a drink) with me"
or "I'm gonna dop that test." Originally refers to a tot (measure).
dorpie small town
doss, dorse, dossing Sleep or nap.
Drowors (Afrikaans) 'dry sausage', similar to biltong
dronkie drunkard
druk to embrace or squeeze, hug (noun) "Gee my 'n drukkie," "Give me a hug." (not
necessary sexually)
dwankie someone or something that is lame, stupid, uncool, or generally undesirable.
Generally used as an insult or in a derogatory way. Zef slang] Can be used as both a noun: "Look
at those dwankies over there!" and an adjective: "My chinas have gone dwankie!"
eina! ouch! used as a mainstream word in South African English. [Probably of Khoisan
origin.]
eish! - Wow! What? Expression of surprise. Of Bantu origin.
ek s I say!
entjie Cigarette. For example, "Awe ou. Steek 'n ent!"
flaterwater correction fluid (e.g.: Tipp-Ex, Wite-Out) [comes from flater (mistake) and water
(water)]
flou an unfunny (weak) joke (from the Afrikaans word for weak), can also refer to weak coffee
or tea or weak alkoholic drink. A person that is weak. (Die man is te flou "The man is too weak").
fok Afrikaans for "fuck", can be used in most ways it is used in English. Fokken = fucking,
gefok = fucked. Dutch - Fokken = breeding (animals).
goffel Ugly girl/woman. For example,"What a G!". Also a degrading term for a person of
coloured origin.
gomgat bumpkin, redneck (in the US sense, not to be confused with rooinek, the literal
translation of redneck).
goof, ghoef swim, take a dip
gooi throw, chuck or to "tune" (see below) someone.
goose also chick, cherry : a young woman or girlfriend (used mainly during the 1950s, now
dated) also famous line by South African comedian Barry Hilton
houding character or style
heita "hello" or "hi". It was from this that telecommunications company Telkom got the name
8.ta for their mobile addition.
hoesit, hoezit, howzit derived from "How is it going? contracted to how's it?_In English SA
context, howzit is more a greeting of "hello" rather than "how are you?", similar to SA black
slang's "eta" or "ola"

in sy moer badly damaged, destroyed (rude, often considered profanity due to 'moer' to beat
up).
ja yeah (literally "yes" in Afrikaans)
jux/juks/jags Meaning "horny". For example, "Jinne meisie, jy maak my nou sommer lekker
jags."
ja-nee literally "yes-no", an expression of positive confirmation.[2] Example : Dis warm
vandag. ("It's hot today") : Ja-nee ("Indeed")
jislaaik! expression of surprise, can be positive or negative. Often used when you get a fright,
but equally often during particularly exciting parts of a rugby game.
jo an expression of surprise e.g., "Jo, that was rude" "Jo, you gave me a fright!" pron. yo as in
New York)
jol to have fun, to party, can also refer to a disco or party, to commit adultery or even dating
or courting
kak Literal translation : shit. crap, rubbish, nonsense (vulgar), of very wide usage. Also used
as a way of further expressing one's feeling in language, for example, instead of "that girl is
pretty" one can say emphatically "that girl is kak pretty!"
katkop half a loaf of bread hollowed out and filled with chips (i.e. French fries, not crisps.
Often regarded as basic prison food. (Literal translation from Afrikaans = cat head or cat's head).
In South Africa French fries refers to thinly cut fried potato chips, whereas slap tjips (lit. limp
chips) refers to the thicker British-style chip. Crispy potato chips are known as potato crisps.
khaki [from the colour worn by British troops] derogatory term for an English person
krels police (original Afrikaans meaning: guys, chaps). "The krels are coming, watch out!"
(Dated). More commonly referring to boyfriend or literal translation : Guy or young man. Dutch kerels.
kiff, kif, kief (adjective) wicked, cool, neat, great, wonderful. The word derives from the Arabic
word 'kif' meaning pleasure or marijuana. This may also be related to the Afrikaans word for
poison: gif. Coastal pot-smokers used the term to refer to Durban Poison: "Gifs" [locally-grown
marijuana]. The word evolved into kiff, an adjective or exclamation meaning "cool", amongst
English-speaking people on the east coast.
klankie unpleasant smell. Also said as just "Klank". Pronounced as in "Clunk"
klap to smack. (From Afrikaans). "He got klapped in the bar". Like a "bitch-slap".
koffie-moffie a camp male waiter or air steward. See "moffie".
kont same as 'Cunt' in English (profanity)
krimpie old person
kwaai cool, excellent (Afrikaans: "angry". Compare the US slang word phat.)
kydaar Visitor from northern provinces, especially Gauteng, to Cape Town; from "kyk daar!" "just look at that!". see also "soppiekoppie"
lag to laugh. For example: They lag at the joke.
laaitie, lighty a younger person, esp. a younger male such as a younger brother or son
lank lots/a lot
laanie, larny (n) boss, used in a deferent tone. (adj) fancy
las 1. an act that is undesirable to commit, a burden. 2. To tell someone or suggest to stop
doing an act. (origin: something that is slowing you or an object down; for example, "'n Las in die
pad.", meaning "An object as in a stone in the road.")
lus to have a craving for. "I lus for a cigarette". (Also see "smaak".)
lekker nice, good, great (lit. tasty), for example "tik, tik is lekker".
loskind a really slutty girl, usually wears revealing clothes and is easy to get with (for
example: "Sarah is 'n fokken loskind!")
loskop air head, literally a "lost head" refers to someone whose head is in the clouds, clumsy,
forgetful.
maaifoedie motherfucker, as in " Jou maaifoedie "
maat friend (OED), also your partner (wife, girlfriend)
mal mad, crazy, insane
mallie mother
mamparra idiot
mmchakawally Cigarettes

mugwaai - Cigarette
entjie - Cigarette
Gebruiker - Cigarette
mielie millet corn (AmE) / maize (BrE), staple diet
muggie bug, especially a little flying gnat
moegoe stupid person, coward, or weakling
moffie male homosexual (derogatory). Can be compared to "fairy". From "mofskaap",
castrated sheep.
moer-toe stuffed up or destroyed (my car is moer-toe)
moerse - big, ex: "thats a moerse house"
moer - to hit / to fight with, ex: "he is gonna moer you"
mompie retard. ("Liesl, you are such a mompie!")
morne boring, sterile, unexciting. ("This is more morne than watching Saracens play!")
mos Afrikaans, implies that what has been said is well known or self-evident (a formal part of
grammar, the closest English equivalent would be "duh!"). "Ek drink mos tee." ("I drink tea, duh!").
Used at the end of a sentence, as in "...Jy weet mos." ("...Obviously, as you know ... ")
motivate (English) -- from Afrikaans "to justify or provide reasons for a suggestion or proposal",
as opposed to English "inspire".
naai (Afrikaans) - copulate; but strictly speaking "sew" - from action of sewing machine needle.
naartjie (Afrikaans) tangerine, mandarin, satsuma any peelable orange-coloured citrus fruit
with neat segments; used as a mainstream word in South African English, and a dietary staple.
Often thrown at T.V. when frustrated with referee decisions.
N.A.A.F.I. (pronounced NAAFI) acronym for: "No Ambition and Fuck-all Interest"; (originated
from the (still existing) British military "Navy, Army and Air Force Institute") referring to a lazy
person. Used extensively during the days of National Service.
n? do you know what I mean/agree?, oh really?, is it not so? or British English "innit?". From
the French "n'est-ce pas" meaning "Isn't it?". e.g. "Jy hou van tee, n?" ("You like tea, not so?")
(informal). The South African English equivalent is "hey", for example "Eish, its cold hey?".
nogal of all things. Term expressing a measure of surprise
nooit never, no way, unbelievable!
oom an older man of authority, commonly in reference to an older Afrikaans man (Afrikaans
for uncle)
ou (plural ouens) man, guy, bloke (also oke) (literally "old")
ouballie old man, dad; as in: "shaft me, ouballie" "My ouballie (father, dad) will be home
soon".
ousie Term used to refer to a maid, usually a black female; Also used by black females to
call/refer to each other
pap traditional maize porridge similar to grits; can also mean "deflated".
paraat disciplined. Somebody who is paraat, generally has "houding"i.e style / character
plaas lit. : farm. Also, when someone falls down : Plaas gekoop.
platteland rural area, country (as in living in the country, as opposed to living in the city)
piel derogatory term for a male genitalia ("cock" or "dick")
poepol - (from poephol, arse)an idiot. lit. an arsehole, but not as derogatory.
poes derogatory term for a female genitalia ("pussy" or "cunt")
pommie, pom derogatory term for an English person (borrowed from Australia)
rooinek ("red neck") Afrikaner derogatory term for English person or English-speaking South
African. Derived in the 19th century due to native British not being used to the hot African sun and
getting sunburnt, especially on the neck. Almost the exact opposite to the American usage of
"redneck". Alternative explanation, reference to the fact that British officers during the two Boer
Wars had red collars.
sat tired, dead "Ek is siek en sat van sy nonsens" I'm sick and tired of his nonsense", see
'vrek' below (pronounced as sut in English)
sies, "sis" expression of disgust, disappointment, annoyance, as in: Ag, sies, man.
Sie-sah - expression of Goodness, or of disgust, depending on context.
scrompie slang for "hobo" or bergie. (Liesl told her 7-year-old son, Karl, to walk away from
the scrompie walking towards them.)

skapie someone who might be referred to as a "pussy". Literally "little sheep".

skeef skewed, gay, as in: hy het 'n bietjie skeef voorgekom (he seemed a bit gay)
skief to glare at someone (root: Afrikaans 'skeef', skew)
skop, skiet en boomklim literally "kicking, shooting and climbing trees". A colloquial
description of an action film, usually of the lighter, more humorous kind. (Think Jackie Chan.)
skop, skiet en donner literally "kicking, shooting and beating people up". A colloquial
description of an action movie of the more violent kind. (Think Jean-Claude Van Damme.)
skelm (pronounced: Skellem) crook or trouble-maker, mistress, secret lover, on the sly
skinner, skinder gossip
skop kick
skort watch out, be careful or something is wrong here.
skraal very hungry. (Durban region, from Afrikaans for "thin" or "emaciated".)
skrik fright
skyf cigarette, a puff, and also less commonly marijuana or dagga.
slapgat English translation "lazy arse", also can refer to something badly put together, "Hy
het dit slapgat gemaak" (he put it together haphazardly)
slaptjips (pronounced as "slup chips") similar to thick-cut British chips; usually soft, oily and
soaked in vinegar, usually bought in a brown paper bag. Slap is Afrikaans for "limp". French fries
refers to thinly cut chips. Crispy potato chips are referred to as 'crisps'.
smaak to like another person or thing. "Seems" as in "smaak my ..." I get the impression
that ...
smaak stukkend to like very much or to love to pieces (literal meaning of stukkend). "I smaak
you stukkend" = "I love you madly".
smeerlaken Afrikaans lit. "spread" + "sheet" i.e. an Excel or Lotus worksheet
sneeudier old person
soek to look for trouble with someone/to antagonise/to stir up trouble = "you soeking with
me?" Afrikaans: "to seek or look for".
sommer for no particular reason, just because
soppiekoppie - derogatory term for up-country visitor to Cape Town, from "pasop die koppie"
("careful of your little head!")from the habit of fathers carrying their small children on their
shoulders and warning them of the low door-frames in old buildings in Cape Town
sosatie a kebab on a skewer, used as mainstream word in South African English.
soutpiel/soutie derogatory term for English person, literally salty penis. Someone with one
foot in England, the other in South Africa and their penis hanging in the Atlantic Ocean
steek stab, poke (with knife). "He/she steeked her/him" = "He/she poked her/him". Also see
"naai" = Nick steeked me stukkend.
stukkie, stekkie a woman (from the Afrikaans meaning "a piece") mostly used when
referring to a woman that you have/have casual encounters with, girlfriend
stoep porch, verandah, like American English stoop, but pronounced with a shorter vowel
stompie a cigarette butt, a short person or impolite term to refer to the remaining
arm/leg/finger after an amputation.
stukkend (Afrikaans) broken, a lot. Also commonly used when someone is hungover. For
example, "I am so stukkend".
swak broke. Original Afrikaans: weak. "I'm swak, ek s". Also used to suggest that someone's
behaviour was harsh (with varying degrees of seriousness, depending on tone and context), for
example: "It's swak that I failed the test"
tekkies sneakers. (The Anglicised pronunciation tackies has become mainstream in South
African English.)
tiet English equivalent Boob or Breast (from 'teat')
tet breast or boob
toppie, ou toppie father see ouballie
trek to move or pull. (The word has become international with the meaning of "making a
pioneering journey"; the slang usage more closely resembles the standard Afrikaans meaning.)
tuinbooi Term used to refer to a gardener, usually a black gardener
TVP (tiener velprobleem) Acne problems
vaalie mildly derogatory term used by people on the coast for a tourist from inland (Root: Old

Transvaal province)
vellies veldskoene, traditional Afrikaans outdoors shoes made from hide
verkramp politically conservative or pessimistic, the opposite of verlig, or enlightened
voertsek, voetsek get lost, buzz off, go away, run, scram, stuff off, bugger off (it can be
considered rude, depending on the context) usually used when referring to an animal. From the
Dutch "vort, zeg ik" - used with animals, meaning "Go away!" or "Get moving"
vrek Afrikaans meaning for an animal dying. Possibly from Dutch "verrekken" to dislocate?
vrot bad, rotten, putrid, sometimes drunk
vrotbek someone who swears a lot or is swearing a lot at the moment.
vry to make out or courting (equivalent to American "necking", British "snogging" or Australian
"pashing")
Vrystaat vernier Shifting spanner
waai slang for "to go". Durbanites like to say "Hey, let's waai pozzy." = Let's go home.
woes wild, untidy, unkempt or irreverent. A general term pertaining to either a person,
behaviour or situation
wys - multiple meanings - to insult(see tune) or to say e.g. "Yoh, John wys me after I told him to
shut up!"
yoh an expression of surprise e.g., "Yoh, that was rude" "Yoh, you gave me a fright!", (Policechief talking about the poor physique of his policemen) "They should look at our men and say
"yoh!".
zef from Ford Zephyr car, cheap to tune-up; cool, rough guy; common person; kitsch.
zol a homemade cigarette rolled with old newspaper or rizlas (likely marijuana-filled) joint
(equivalent to American "doobie")
zamalek Black Label Lager, locally brewed under licence (derived from the Egyptian football
team of the same name because of the team colors) A very popular local beer because of the
high alcohol content
Words from Khoi San languages
aitsa is usually used when exclaiming agreement like you would when saying "sweet!",
"nice!", "lekker!", and "got it!" .
buchu - name applied to a range of medicinal plants.[3]
dagga marijuana (has become a mainstream word in South African English)(from Khoe daxab for Leonotis plant)[3]
eina - exclamation of pain, as in ouch (from Khoekhoe exclamation of pain or surprise)[3]
gogga bug (from Khoe xo-xo, creeping things, here the g is pronounced like ch in Scottish
loch)[3]
kaross - garment made of animal skin (from Khoe meaning skin blanket)[3]
Words from Xhosa, Zulu and the other Nguni Languages
The following lists slang borrowings from the Nguni Bantu languages (which include Zulu and
Xhosa). They typically occur in use in South Africa's townships, but some have become
increasingly popular amongst white youth. Unless otherwise noted these words do not occur in
formal South African English.
tjaila"(pronounced: chai-la) time to go home
"cav" - Meaning 'to see' (the c is pronounced as a dental click). It can be used meaning both "to
see" or "to understand" as in "Did you cav that bird?" or as in "Do you cav what I am saying?"
cocopan small tip truck on rails used in mines (from Nguni nqukumbana, Scotch cart)[3]
donga ditch of the type found in South African topography. (From Zulu, "wall"; this has
become a mainstream word for such a feature.)
eish! an interjection expressing resignation
fundi expert (from Nguni 'umfundisi' meaning teacher or preacher) used in mainstream
South African English
"faka" - to put (pronounced as fuh-guh) from the common Nguni word meaning the same thing

-faka
gogo grandmother, elderly woman (from Zulu, ugogo)
haw! expression of disbelief, surprise. Pronounced like English "how!". From the Zulu "hawu".
hayibo! wow! (from Zulu, 'definitely not')
indaba conference (from Zulu, 'a matter for discussion'); has become a mainstream word in
South African English
inyanga traditional herbalist and healer (compare with sangoma)
jova injection, to inject (from Zulu)
laduma! a popular cheer at soccer matches, "he scores!" (literally: "it thunders", in Zulu)
muti medicine (from Zulu umuthi) typically traditional African
Mzansi South Africa (uMzantsi in Xhosa means "south"
sangoma traditional healer or diviner
shongololo (also spelt shongalolo) millipede (from Zulu and Xhosa, ukushonga, 'to roll up')
spaza an informal trading-post/convenience store found in townships and remote areas (also
a term referring to something cheap and nasty - i.e. of poor quality)
tokolos a dwarf-like water sprite, taken from tokoloshe.
toyi-toyi (more commonly spelt toi-toi) protest-dancing; used in mainstream South African
English
tsotsi gangster, layabout, no gooder
ubuntu compassion or kindness, humanity
yebo Zulu meaning yes
wena Zulu meaning "you". Commonly used in a sentence "Haw wena!"
Words from Sesotho and Setswana Languages
lekgotla or kgotla planning session, or strategy (used mostly in official government papers,
but even in papers written in English) (from Sesotho (le)kgotla courtyard)[3]
Nyatsi - Mistress / an illicit lover
Chaile or Tjhaile knockoff time from work
Words from Portuguese
a luta continua! a rallying cry used during the anti-Apartheid struggle (and the independence
wars in Angola and Mozambique). [Port. for "the struggle continues".]
caldo verde traditional Portuguese kale soup with chourio (Portuguese pork sausage).
catemba a drink made by mixing red wine and a soft drink, usually cola.
chourio traditional Portuguese pork sausage.
espetada a typical Portuguese dish made usually of large chunks of beef rubbed in salt,
skewered onto a bay leaf stick.
kraal enclosure for livestock. [from Afrik. via Port. "curral".]
jerepigo a usually red heavy dessert wine. [from Port. "geropiga".]
mielies or mealies maize. [from Port. "milho".]
padece derogatory word for Afrikaners used by South African-Portuguese.
padro a large stone cross inscribed with the coat of arms of Portugal that was placed as
part of a land claim by numerous Portuguese maritime explorers in South Africa and elsewhere.
peri-peri chili pepper. [from Port. "piri-piri".]
pikinini a child [from Port. "pequenino".]
prego roll steak sandwich made with piri-piri (chili) sauce and served on a Portuguese roll.
[from Port. "prego".]
trinchado a popular spicy meat dish of Angolan and Mozambican origin.
Original South African English coinages
aswell means "me too" when pronounced with over-emphasis on the "as"
boykie or boytjie meaning a young white male who is cool in the high-school stereotype kind
of way. Sporty and tanned, uses a lot of slang. From English "boy" and the Afrikaans "-tjie"

meaning little.
baff Fart
bra male friend (shortening of brother, see also bru above)
canyon crab derogatory term for Afrikaner[4]
chase leave, go; analogous to "blow" or "duck", as in "Bru, let's chase."; "This place is dof;
I'm gonna chase, boet."
cherps or chips "Watch out" or "Move out the way", as in "Chips chips everyone, here comes
the teacher!" (distinct from the food or snack). Also often used when something gets thrown, or to
ask someone to step out the way. Compare "heads up!".
chop idiot
chot a very offensive term for a sexually active female
clutchplate derogatory term for Afrikaner[4]
connection a friend, mate, chommie
cozzie a swimsuit, short for swimming costume[5]
crunchie derogatory term for Afrikaner[4][5]
diss - to intentionally disregard somebody else.. That oke is totally dissing me
dof stupid. "Are you dof?"
dop Drink or to drink, primarily when talking about alcohol, from the Afrikaans "dop" (shell,
referring to a small glass for alcohol).
force -when someone does something unnecessarily, too many times for the given situation or
adds something to a conversation that is not necessary (It is a noun and verb)
give rocks to be indifferent. For example: I give rocks about your concerns! (I couldn't care
about your concerns!) Can also be abbreviated to "Give rocks.", and the negative version "I don't
give rocks" means exactly the same thing.
giyn a homosexual male
graze a term used in reference to food. "I'm starving, let's go get some graze."
higher grade a bit too complicated (from the South African matric division of exams into
standard grade and higher grade. The system of dividing subjects into higher and standard grade
has become non-existent as of 2008.)
hundreds good, fine. (As in 100 percent; for example: John: "Hey bru, howzit going?"
Dominic: "I'm hundreds boet.")
jukka a lazy person or a loser
just now, sometime in the near future or the near past, not necessarily immediately. Expresses
an intention to act soon, but not necessarily immediately, or expresses something that happened
in the near past. Probably from the Afikaans netnou with the same meaning.
now now an immediate but not literal declaration of impending action, may be past or future
tense. From the Afrikaans expression "nou nou".
Dutchman derogatory term for Afrikaner[4]
isit (pronounced: \izit\) the words "is" and "it" put together. Short term for "Is that so?" (For
example: John: "Bra, I just found out I have a million dollars!" Charles: "Isit?"; or: John: "Bru, you
would not believe how amazing it felt to footskate in front of all those people." Charles: "Isit?")
Also, it can mean "really?"
lift elevator
location a Bantu township
naai derogatory for having sex with a girl ("Last night she gave me a lekker naai"), British
English 'fuck', or from the Afrikaans "naai" (same meaning, from the Afrikaans term for "to sew",
from the movement of the needle on a sewing machine)
"nca" - meaning something is nice (the nc is a nasalised dental click)
packet or "checkers" a plastic bag
penalty - it refers to someone tripping (usually shouted if someone almost trips)
pull through come or arrive, especially to a place/event that is amenable: "We're having a
great jol here, boet. You should pull through."
robot traffic-light[5]
rockspider derogatory term for Afrikaner[4]
rop nice, radical. (e.g. "That was such a rop wave.") Also used as a verb meaning 'to steal'.
(e.g. "I will rop you of that kief watch.")

roundabout - traffic circle (road)

scheme to think that (e.g. "I scheme we should go home now"; usage evolved from the
hyperbole "What are you scheming?" asked of a person deep in thought.)
siff if something is gross or disgusting or ugly. "Did you see her oufit? It was totally siff!"
slops flip-flops
speak goat derogatory term for speaking Afrikaans
soapie a soap opera
swak see "swat"
swat carrying out an action resulting in an undesirable or negative outcome; "when you
chaffed my cherrie the other day, it was swat oke. Totally swat"; "Moderating a list of slang words
is impossible and totally swat oke"; "Changing this word to swak would be totally swat oke".
Skommel(draadtrek) to masturbate, from Afrikaans
takkies - sports shoes
tickey Thruppence or 3 pennies, e.g. "You could get a tickey for returning a coke bottle and
three tickeys would buy you an eskimo pie". Dated, tickey-box is more recently used.
tune to give someone lip ("Are you tuning me?")
voetsek impolite way to say "go away", commonly used with animals or as derogatory term.
(from Dutch voort seg ik via Afrikaans)
saamie a sandwich[5]
Slang originating from other countries
The following slang words used in South African originated in other parts of the Commonwealth of
Nations and subsequently came to South Africa.
bint a girl, from Arabic . Usually seen as derogatory.
buck the main unit of currency: in South Africa the rand
china friend, mate (from Cockney rhyming slang china [plate] = "mate"), alternatively, as
above coming from the Bantu word umshana
chow to eat
coaster a state of affairs that surpasses cool
Kaffir 1790, from Arabic "kfir" ,, literally "one who does not admit the blessings of God",
from kafara ," to cover up, conceal, deny". Non Believer. In a purely religious sense would refer
to an atheist not believing in any creator or creative-force, but in Ottoman times it came to refer
almost exclusively to "Christians". Used as a term of disdain referring to Dutch Colonists in
Indonesia/Malaysia. Carried to the Cape of Good Hope by Dutch colonists who consequently
used it to refer contemptously to the native population. Early English missionaries adopted it as
an equivalent of "heathen" to refer to Bantus in South Africa (1792), from which use it came
generally to mean "South African black" regardless of ethnicity, and became a term of abuse at
least as early as 1934. [racial slur for] a black person (Usage now actionable on account of
historical ties to apartheid and incitement to racial hatred.)
pom name for an English person originating from England
shab short for shebeen. In common usage.
shebeen illegal drinking-establishment (from Irish sibn), synonymous with speakeasy. In
South Africa it refers in particular to unlicensed bars in the townships, and has become a
mainstream word. During the apartheid era laws prohibited non-whites from consuming any
alcohol except traditional sorghum beer, and taverns selling 'hard-tack' became the centre of
social activity.
tom money or cash, as in "I must earn some tom". From Cockney rhyming slang where "tom"
comes from "tomfoolery" ("jewellery")
whenwe a nostalgic white migrant from other parts of Africa, especially Zimbabwe: "when we
were in Rhodesia..."
Slang terms originating from ethnic minorities
South African slang

The majority of Coloureds in South Africa speak Afrikaans. Those who speak English use the
equivalent English words as slang. Many of the words used also occur in South African Indian
speech.
AAP Girl/ Girlfriend
Aapedill Girl/Girlfriend
Awe "Howsit", "hello". A slang way of greeting someone
befok "mad"; also possibly "super cool", as in My broe daai kar is befok. Pronounced \ber
fork\.
betters "To replenish" or "refill". Example: Ekse lets make a betters with the mineral
boss "nice" "that girl is boss, ek s"
boppin - "Very Good", example: "awe ekse my brah, howzit your side?", in reply: "nei, eks (i
am) boppin brah"
bot refer to gaam usually associated with a person, act or object that is either dodgy or
gangster-like. (Originated from Afrikaans slang bot.)
bushie derogatory term for a "Coloured" person. Derived from the word bushman. Bushman
are predominantly light in complexion.
guy similar to the American English word "dude"
bolt/one out used extensively in KZN. Means "by yourself" or "only one".
chop "stupid" or "pathetic" "don't be such a chop (idiot).
chup "tattoo" "cool chup exse"
chow "eat" or food.
chuck "leave". Equivalent of American "to bounce". Examples: "Come bru lets chuck" or
"sorry can't go to the braai i gotta chuck." If you are funny you might say, "boet, I have to make
like Norris and Chuck."
crown/kroon "money"; can also refer to virginity.
dobbel "gamble"
dasifouti - no Problem, lit("there is no fault")
duidelik direct from Afrikaans, meaning "clear"; used to express clarity on something or
excitement about something.
eks from Afrikaans, translated it means "I say". Used in greeting i.e. "Whakind eks" or in
general speech.
gaam dodgy/gangster i.e. That person is gaam. (He is a gangster.)That place is gaam. (it is
dodgy.)
gam derogatory term for Coloured Coloured people in South Africa. Derived from "Gham" or
"Ham" referring to Ham in the Old Testament. It is a reference to the children of Noah's son Ham
who were illegitimate and cursed into slavery by God.[6][7]
gammie diminutive of 'Gam', derogatory term for coloured people in South Africa, particularly
in Cape Town.
gatsby large chip roll with meat and lekker sauces (Cape Town)
gully "area" or "corner" (KZN)
hard up "in love"
Hosh "Hello"; also used before combat. Example in combat: Hosh, jy raak wys ("Hello, show
me what you made of"). This gang-related word occurs inside as well as outside of prison: use at
own discretion.
jas "horny". The first form occurs in Cape Town; the second predominates on the east coast
of South Africa. May also mean "crazy" or "mad". Examples: Person A: I want to get robbed
Person B: Are you jas? or Person A: Ek wil my werk verloor Person B: Is jy jas?.
lekker/lukka "nice" [from Afrikaans]. The first form occurs more commonly; the second
predominates in Kwa-Zulu Natal.
lappie(pronounced *luppee*) "cloth", "dish towel" "face cloth"
maader "the best", "excellent"
meet up Used in the Kwa-Zulu Natal region, a term usually used when saying "goodbye". For
example: Lukka meet up ekse.
miff "gross", "disgusting". "That's completely miff!" "Oh my god it was so miff"

min to be very interested or excited in something, or for something. For example, "so min for
that jol" or "when you're min you win"
mineral pronounced 'min ral'; used by Indians as well. "Fizzy drink" such as Coke, Fanta,
Sprite, etc. (KZN)
"motjie" wife/woman
"bok" - girlfriend
naai "sex" (Western Cape) Also used as a noun "Jou ou naai" (literally "You screw") and used
in the plural: "naaie" (literally more than one "screw"), meaning an undesirable person rather than
the sexual act. Definitely not polite language.
oweh pronounced \ow where\, a way of saying "oh yes" or expressing delight.
posie/pozzie "home". Afrikaans-speakers tend to use the first for; English-speakers the
second.
press "sex", as in: "I want to press my young one tonight" (KZN)
shot "good" or "correct" or "thanks" (depending on context). Example for the meaning "good"
Person A: What is 3+3? Person B: six Person A: shot. Example for the meaning "thanks":
Person: A I have bought you a sweet Person B: Shot.
sunno Initially an insult, but now used amongst friends as a greeting, as in: Whakind son
Stukkie "girl" or possibly "girlfriend"
Tannie "aunt", used by Afrikaans-speakers
Taah-nie" - "Mother", used by some Cape Townians
tops "excellent", "the best"
Toppie "old man", used by Afrikaans-speakers, can also mean 'dad', ex: 'My friend recently
became a Toppie'
Whakind a greeting, usually used amongst guys only, and frowned upon when used in
greeting women. This word can also express an enquiry about something, especially when used
outside the Kwa-Zulu Natal region.
What say/What you say/Wat s jy alternative for Whakind in the greeting-sense. Englishspeakers use the first and second forms; Afrikaans-speakers the third.
Young one Refer to "Stekkie"
Skommel - marstubate
onetime of course, without delay; often used as a positive reply to a question
operate lets perform or to have sex
ou a boy/man/guy, homo sapiens
Charr Ou/Charou/charo Charr is from charring from the sun like charcoal(burnt wood)
derogatory word for a dark Indian person
Bruin Ou a Coloured person - mixed race
Wit(pronounced as vit) Ou a White person
Correct Ou a good guy
Gorra Ou a White person (insulting usage)
Darkie ou/ darky ou - an African/black person
Pekkie Ou a Black African person (derogatory; from the Zulu word for "cook")
Slum Ou a Muslim person (derived from the words Islam/Muslim)
Exploding Ou a Muslim person (insulting usage)
boss a salute to an unfamiliar person, or person in authority (usually to a male), as in 'you
know what it is boss'.
bra a way of addressing a friend, as in 'Howzit my bra'. 'bra' derived from 'brother'
bung (from Afrikaans 'bang' to be scared) to be afraid of someone.
crown money
condai bus conductor.
graft meaning work... "hey kazzie, im grafting at coconut grove, lakkaz ekse"
krel police man / boyfiend
hit a luck expression, to have met with good fortune. as in, 'hey my bru hit a luck, eee got
graft at the Casino'. Also often noted in the form hit such a luck.
choon/tune to tell someone something.
clips Money, 1 clip = R100
laanie From the Afrikaans word meaning "fancy", but used by Indian people to mean "smart

guy" ("Smart" as in "well-to-do") or, more frequently, "boss". Compare larnie.

lakkaz meaning lekker from the Afrikaans language.
late A euphemism for dead/deceased; as in 'My daddy is 2 years late'. (Unconnected with the
idea of tardiness.)
lets waai' lets go; (waai pronounced as vuy same like buy) (From Afrikaans, "kom ons waai")
Used mostly by Durban Indians.
maader excellent, very good (used especially by Durban Indians)
min-rill from the English word "mineral", meaning mineral water; taken to mean any fizzy
drink in a bottle, normally Coke, Fanta, etc.
plot pursue romantically, courting
poke stab
pozzy house or home; place where one lives or hangs out.
perrie - paranoid; "He is moerse perrie"
pehrer a fight. (Often heard as "Who's gunning a pehrer?" meaning "Who's looking for a
fight?")
slaan wear (as in clothes), ex "He is ge(prefix) slat(slaan) clothingwise"; meaning "He's
dressed well"
Vrou my wife, as in 'Ek s, I must first ask my Vrou'; from the Afrikaans word for
'wife"/"woman".
vying - going, as in we vying to the soccer
vriete - "food" from the Afrikaans word "Vreet" - "to eat like an animal". Used as a noun, ex: He
must kyk(look) sy(his) eie(own) vriete(food) translated: He must find his own food
dite - food(noun), ex: "i smaak(like to) a dite(food) kry(to get)"
dite - food(verb), ex: "ek(i) gaan(to go) eers (firstly) dite(to eat)"
speech an argument
stekie girl/girlfriend
swaai to dance. (For example: "Lets vaai (go) swaai.")
swak bad, example: "
what kind Greeting, similar to Howzit
what what mostly used in arguments, meaning "this and that". Often heard as what you say
what what
spiet to fight
slow boat Splif/Joint Normally related to marajuana
Para/Pareh to fight/argument
pulling moves related to doing some sort of crime or fraud
100's / Hundreds Relating to being ok, for example: "I am hundreds today after last nights jol"
bust up Big party involving lots of drugs and booze.
pull in literally means to invite Example: "Pull in to my pozzy tonight, gona have a bust up"
benou (pronounce BER-NOW) marijuana or dagga. Commonly used by Indians in
Gauteng. "no benou there?"-do you have any dagga?
koex drink ("what you koexing?" what are you drinking?)
sharp goodbye, ("shap im out" goodbye I'm leaving)
aspriss (pron. arse-priss) to intentionally do something ("I closed the door on him aspriss")
gusheshe BMW 325is
g-string BMW 3 Series E46 models. This car was believe to be "women getter" for any men
driving it and therefore it was said to be "g-string dropper".
arrawise greeting, derived from the English word 'otherwise' ("arrawise bra watse?")
Wyfie - Woman
Salut - Hello, Hi as in greeting, or "Dis(its) Salut(good) my brah(friend/brother)"
Ben 10 sumeone dating a woman who is 110 years older than him or a young male partner
of a cougar.
South African Portuguese slang
maburro - slang for a white Afrikaans person, usually derogatory but sometimes used
affectionately depending on context.

padece - slang for a white Afrikaans person, usually derogatory but sometimes used
affectionately depending on context.
eh p - a cry of exclamation. ("hey man!")
South African Indian slang
Many of these terms occur in the Cape Town and Durban areas, and few in Indian areas in
Gauteng. Some words are shared with Coloured slang, such as pozzie (in Durban) and let's waai.
an' all (from 'and all'; like the English 'et cetera, et cetera').
aks mispronounced ask...
boarded-off declared medically unfit to work, and in receipt of a disability pension, As in: 'My
daddy was so lucky to have been BOARDED OFF by the corporation'
bring and come an expression normally denoting some type of unspecified invitation to come
and perform a particular task at a given location, i.e. 'I told dat TV repair balie to Bring and Come
and fix da TV'
bunny chow type of food, made with a loaf of bread filled with a curry stew.
cake idiot
cameway to go with someone, like come with me. Used in Durban.
Charo a person of Indian origin. From the word "curry" (or tea).
coat meaning "quote", mis-pronounced, with a completely inaudible KW sound. as in Hey,
can you give me a coat to fix my car?
cover an insurance policy; as in: Hey laanie, can you organise me a cover for my grannie?
eeuww man! an informal way of greeting. The South African Indian equivalent of "Hey dude!"
filim. mispronounced film
guzzie friend (from the Zulu guz'lam)
Jaaver an Afrikaner person
kassam serious, not joking. From Islamic meaning "oath".
mooing to flirt. From the Afrikaans word mooi meaning "nice"/"pretty".
nana grandfather (Not a slang words, but a Hindi and Urdu word meaning maternal
grandfather)
ou person
Roti Ou / Bread Ou Hindi person
Wit Ou a White person
paining having pain
pano money, from the Tamil word for "money". Commonly used by all South African Indian
linguistic groups as a euphemism for money (Not Slang)
patla, flouie usually refers to poor (unfunny) jokes. Patla can also refer to any kind of damp
squib. Patla Patla often refers obliquely to having sex; imitating the sound of two bodies meeting.
potter-marie means a dumbass (Hindu language roots)
right an affirmation, mostly used while giving traffic directions, as in "Go straight, Right. Turn
Left, Right."
sheila an ugly woman
slaat action like hit. For example: Don't choon me what what an' all, I slaat you one time
laanie.
this thing/"dis ting" watchamacallit
toppie an older male authority-figure. Often used by Indians but also by working-class whites.
From an Indian word for "hat".
tannie female version of toppie, from the Afrikaans word for "Aunty".
tum-blahh from the English word "tumbler", meaning a heavy glass. As in: 'hey boy, run and
get a Tum-blah for the larnie to have some Min-rill'
South African Jewish slang
chattis, khateis (plural chatteisim, khateisim. Yiddish: "a sinner"): approximately equivalent to
"white trash". The word refers particularly to poor, white, Afrikaans-speaking communities with

endemic social problems. Sometimes used as an ethnic slur against Afrikaners in general. From
Talmudic phrase Eyn bor yerey khet a bor (uncouth ignoramus) is not afraid of sin. The borBoer assonance gives a case for quibble: if not afraid of sin must be therefore a sinner.[8]
kugel: an overly groomed, materialistic woman (from the Yiddish word for a plain pudding
garnished as a delicacy). Older-generation Jews coined this usage as a derogatory label for
Jewish women who aspired to become part of the privileged English-speaking white community.
Current usage, often humorously intended, applies the word to any nouveau riche women in
South African society who appear overly groomed and materialistic. Bagel and bagel-boy occur
as labels for the male counterpart of the kugel. (Compare the American-English term JewishAmerican princess which has subtly differing connotations.)
Peruvian / Peruvnik: a low-class, unmannered and unsophisticated person regardless of
wealth, usually Jewish. The etymology is unclear. [2] (Theories: (a) Yiddish corruption of
Parvenu[3]; (b) derives from an acronym for "Polish and Russian Union", supposedly a Jewish
club founded in Kimberley in the 1870s, according to Bradford's Dictionary of South African
English. [4]) The more assimilated and established Jews from Germany and England looked
down on this group, and their descendants remain stigmatised.
Schwarzer: Yiddish / German for "black" a black person
shiksa: as in other Jewish communities, this means "non-Jewish girl". Traditionally "slave-girl",
from the Yiddish version of the Hebrew word for "dirty, unclean, loathsome"[9] In South Africa,
however, it has the additional meaning of a "female domestic worker".
weisser: Yiddish for "white" a white person
South African Lebanese slang
bint : from the Lebanese word for "girl"; used in reference to women in general (as in "check
out that hot bint over there.")
drib : from the Lebanese word for "hit" (as in "hey ghey ... if you don't stop talking gara, I may
have to drib you!")
gara : from the Lebanese word for "faeces" or "dung"; refers to something that is crap (as in
"that guy is talking gara!")
ghey : literally translated from the Lebanese word for "brother"; in colloquial South African
refers to "a tinted-windows, lots-of-jewellery" kinda guy (pronounced like "gay" but with a /x/, like a
guttural "g" or the "ch" in Scottish loch)
stiffle : so what: "if you don't like it stiffle!"
uhbed : from the Arabic word for "slave" (Arabic: )a black person
Special-use slang
Kasi / township slang
411 giving someone the latest news and gossip.
5 Tiger R50 note
2 Bob - 20 cent coin
21 (two six) lies or lying.
150 Ladysmith/Emnambithi (KZN)
69 (Six nine) It is to pee.
9 (nine) Girlfriend as in a love relationship.
45 (Four Five) Penis.
6 no 9 "same difference". Like "potato, potatoe".
99 (nine nine)' "for real".
ayoba Expression of excitement
bokgata or Bo 4 "the police"
cake/ikuku Vagina
choc R20 note
chommie More likely to be used by young girls than guys, the word refers to a friend. A music
artist goes by this name.
clipper' R100 note

doing a bafana demanding more smeka (money) for being mediocre

doing a benni [Origin: the saying comes from the formerly much-lauded Bafana Bafana
striker Benni McCarthy's "uncharitable habit of turning his back on his country"[10] following many
instances of failing to turn up to play for South Africa's national football squad.] Meaning "showing
disloyalty / being irresponsible".
eish [compare Bantu usage above] (pronounced like /aysh/ but also, less often, as /ish/)
Used to express everything ranging from frustration to surprise to disapproval, but also just
everyday acknowledgement of things you can't change like "Eish, the traffic is bad today". Heard
frequently each and every day! Also used to indicate displeasure. For example: 'At the time I was
the only black guy and I used to ask myself "Eish [5], what am I doing here?"'
fong kong cheap and fake products that one can buy from vendors on the streets. [6].
Tiger (from the word Jacket) R10 note
juish (pronounced /Joowish/) refers to nice and flashy clothes that someone has on.
kwaito popular genre of music, a mixture of South African disco, hip hop, R&B, ragga, and a
heavy dose of house-music beats.
moegoe a fool, idiot or simpleton. For example: "moegoe of the week". Related to the
Nigerian term 'mugu', fool, fraud victim.
mzansi [from the isiXhosa words, Mzantsi Afrika] [7].) A common term which means South
Africa. [Mzansi] List of colloquial South African place names first published in Y magazine.
Pinkies - R50 note, because of its colour
pulling a jabu pule performing a disappearing act. For example: "Are you pulling a Jabu Pule
[8] on me?" (Are you performing a disappearing act on me?); or: "I will never pull a Jabu Pule on
you" (I will never disappear or go awol).
roogie R50 note
Ova To talk
skoon Kaal vol steek (without a condom). Generally unprotected sex
starter pack (Origins: Terminology first used by mobile-phone companies but quickly adapted
by car thieves and car hijackers.) Refers to entry-level cars [9], especially vehicle-makes
occurring commonly on the road and therefore less easy to spot as stolen. Thieves can "chop up"
the parts at an illegal "chop shop" and used them for repairs on more expensive vehicles.
Stene( from the Afrikaans word for brick) - A stack of money amounting to R1000
umlungu white South African or the Boss (Bass) of the company; isiXhosa word for the white
foam that is left on the beach sand, once a wave has retreated back into the sea. (foam is for
unprofitable use).
vinegar [Origin: Port Elizabeth] Denoting insecurity; especially used of people who behave
nastily to others because of their own complexes. "He's full of vinegar" meaning he's got so
many chips on his shoulder.
yebo a Zulu word which means "yes".
Z3 refers to HIV and AIDS, because of its speed. This is a reference to the BMW Z3.
Coconut Referring to an African black person who is dualistic in their nature. Black on the
outside and White on the inside. (derogatory term used amongst city dwelling Black South
Africans).
Gay slang also called 'gayle'
Slang developed in the 1970s to allow the speakers to converse in public without drawing
attention usually referring to girls' names often with the first letter in common with the intended
meaning:[11]
abigail abortion
ada backside
agatha a gossip
aida AIDS
amanda amazing
annie anus
barbara straight man

belinda blind
bella to hit or slap "I will bella you if you don't stop staring at that beulah."
bertha - hilda's big sister (really, really ugly), after Big Bertha, the giant cannon
beulah beautiful, usually referring to good looking man
cilla cigarette
betty bangles policeman
carol cry
chlora coloured person
connie come
cora common
diana - disgusting
dora a drink; drunk
elsie geselsie chatterbox
erica erection
esterjie ecstasy
ethel - old person
fiona - you can guess
frieda sexually frustrated
fuella furious
gail chat
gayle the name for this slang
gonda a vagina
grazelda - extremely ugly
harriet hairy man
hilda ugly (or horrible), usually referring to a not-so good looking guy
iona - Indian
jenny masturbate
jessica jealous
julia jewellery
lana - penis (from alliteration Lana Lunch)
laura lover
lettie lesbian
lisa male model
lulu laugh
marie mad
marjorie margarine
mary obvious homosexual
mathilda migraine
maureen murder
mavis effeminate queen
mildred mentally deranged
milly crazy (mad) milder than mildred
mitzi small
monica money
nancy no
natalie - native person
nelly neurotic
nora stupid or naive
olga old and ugly
pandora inquisitive queen
patsy - dance, party
polly Portuguese homosexual
priscilla policeman
reeva - revolting
rita rent boy
sally - suck

sheila shit (action or insult)

stella steal
trudy someone that's beyond help
ursula - understand/understanding
vast - very ("She's vast nora, my dear!")
vera vomit
wendy - white (caucasian)
lodge - house
prem - car
See also
List of lexical differences in South African English
List of colloquial South African place names
South African English
Example
South African English
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An example of South African English regionalisms/slang (second language speaker)
Problems playing this file? See media help.
Jinne man, just put on your tekkies and your costume, don't be dof! We're going to walk to the
beach and then go for a goof, if you want to come with you better wikkel china. Ag nee, I stepped
on a shongololo, I just bought new tekkies the other day! You know what, lets just forget about the
beach and have braai instead, all we need is some meat, mealiepap, some cool drinks, maybe a
brinjal and some other veggies. And if someone can bring some biscuits for a banofi pie that
would be great. Hey bru, it's lekker day today for a jol ek s! I'm warning you my dad won't
tolerate any gesuipery, he'll klap you stukkend! Is it? Ja, he's kwaai! He was tuning me just now
from his bakkie my bokkie is a soutie and a rooinek. Eish! Well at least he's duidelik.
References
The Oxford English Dictionary notes the special usage of the word "bioscope" in South Africa
Kromhout, Jan (2001). AfrikaansEnglish, EnglishAfrikaans dictionary. New York, N.Y.:
Hippocrene Books. p. 67. ISBN 9780781808460. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
Branford, J. & Branford, W. 1991 A Dictionary of South African English
"Woordebook". Roekeloos. QVRP. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
Jean Branford (1980). A Dictionary of South African English. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19570177-1. Retrieved 2008-05-20.
Mellet, Patrick. "What is meant by the term GHAM when directed at Coloured people".
Retrieved 09/02/2012. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
Wicomb, Zo (1998). "Shame and identity; the case of the coloured in South Africa". In Derek
Attridge, Rosemary Jane Jolly. Writing South Africa: literature, apartheid, and democracy 1970
1995. Cambridge University Press. p. 100. ISBN 9780521597685.
Born to Kvetch: Yiddish Language and Culture in All of Its moods by Michael Wex p.88 ISBN 9780-312-30741-7
Compare "Semitic roots" in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth
Edition. 2000.
"Benni and the boot". The Sowetan. 2008-06-03. Retrieved 2008-07-12. "Only 31.55% of the
SMS poll respondents said McCarthy should not be booted out for doing the Benni, his
uncharitable habit of turning his back on his country."
[1]

External links
SA English is lekker, bru!, southafrica.info
South African slang, virtualtourist.com
African surfing slang
South African Slang words, newfusion.co.za
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