South Africanisms
weird and wonderful things about south africa and its people
“Bilksem” is a wonderful South Africanism that basically means "we’re going to give them a hiding” Often a way to explain the punishent we’re going to mete out on an opposing sports team.
Submitted by Charles Williams
"LADUMA" Pronounced LA-DOOO-MAH is a popular cheer used at footbal matches to celebrate a goal being scored. shouted loud, with the emphasis on the middle DOOOO this is exaltation at its height (well in so far as sport can get you ecstatic anyway)
Submitted by Angel Witbooi
Eish! - Substitute any of the following: No shit! Dang! Holy Cow! Ouch! You're kidding! Bummer! Oh well. Geez!
Submitted by Mark Upton
“Jizlaaik” is another wonderfully descriptive word we have for “Goodness gracious!” or “Oh My!” so we might say
"jizlaaik my China if South Africa wins the cricket i skeem we should have a dop or two to celebrate”
Submitted by Delarey Potgieter
"At the Robots, turn left" We don't do traffic lights - it's too much like being law abiding. In South Africa we have robots. Much more exciting!!
Submitted by Maria Van Heerden
"Yebo" a Zulu word meaning yes or used to show approval. For example:
Question: "Hi there, can I get a pint in this Shebeen ?"
Answer: "Yebo!"
Submitted by Sipho Mahlangu
“Poepol” is an affectionately used term to denote an idiot. so you might say “ag you poepol you’ve locked the keys in the blerry car! Now we’re really in the dwang!”
Submitted by Jeanne Watson
“laaitie” is an affectionate word for a younger person particularly a son so you might say “My laaitie is taking his bokkie to a flik tonight. “Bokkie” in this context would mean his sweetheart and not his pet Springbok.
Submitted by Eric Van Staden
in some parts of South Africa we have a pretty heart stopping collection of creepy crawlies. We call them “Goggas” which comes from the Khoi San word meaning creeping things.
Submitted by Zollie Tshabalala
We South africans like a bit of a party, and “Epic” denotes a pretty fab party. If its even better than fabulous we may throw in “flipping” before “Epic” . so ...
"That Afrika Burn jol was flipping Epic my Bru”
Submitted by Hlumela Masha
