Ene wat al so ‘n rukkie die rondtes doen – net elke keer in ‘n ander gedaante. Maar dit bly baie snaaks vir my – hoop julle geniet dit ook. Daar bly maar iets spesiaals aan ons Suid Afrikaners … 
In preparation for next year’s World Cup, tourists need to brush up on their Sarf Efrican
Braai
What is a braai? It is the first thing you will be invited to when you
visit South Africa. A braai is a backyard barbecue and it will take place
whatever the weather. So you will have to go even if it’s raining like mad.
At a braai you will be introduced to a substance known as mieliepap.
Ag
This one of the most useful South African words. Pronounced like the “ach”
in the German “achtung”, it can be used to start a reply when you are asked
a tricky question, as in: “Ag, I don’t know.” Or a sense of resignation:”Ag
OK, I’ll have some more mieliepap then.” It can stand alone too as a signal
of irritation.
Donner
A rude word, it comes from the Afrikaans “donder” (thunder). Pronounced
“dorner”, it means “beat up.” A team member in your rugby team can get
donnered in a game, or your wife can donner you if you come back from a
braai at three in the morning.
Eina
Widely used by all language groups, this word, derived from the Afrikaans,
means “ouch.” Pronounced “aynah”. You can say it in sympathy when you see your friend the day after he got donnered by his wife.
Hey
Often used at the end of a sentence to emphasize the importance of what
has just been said, as in “You’re only going to get donnered if you come in
late again, hey?” It can also stand alone as a question. Instead of saying
“excuse me?” or “pardon me?” when you have not heard something directed at you, you can always say: “Hey?”
Izit?
This is another great word to use in conversations. Derived from the two
words “is” and “it”, it can be used when you have nothing to contribute if
someone tells you something at a braai. For instance, if someone would say:
“The Russians will succeed in their bid for capitalism once they adopt a
work ethic and respect for private ownership.” It is quite appropriate to
respond by saying: “Izit?”
Ja well no fine
This is another conversation fallback. Derived from the four words: “yes”,
“well”, “no” and fine”, it roughly means “OK”. If your bank manager tells
you your account is overdrawn, you can, with confidence, say:
“Jawelnofine.”
Klap
Pronounced “klup” – an Afrikaans word meaning smack, whack or spank. If
you spend too much time in front of the TV during exam time, you could end
up getting a “klap” from your mother. In America , that is called child
abuse. In South Africa , it is called promoting education. But to get
“lekker geklap” is to get motherlessly drunk.
Lekker
An Afrikaans word meaning nice, this word is used by all language groups
to express approval. If you enjoyed a braai thoroughly, you can say: “Now
that was lekk-errrrrrr!” while drawing out the last syllable.
Tackies
These are sneakers or running shoes. The word is also used to describe
automobile or truck tyres. “Fat tackies” are really wide tyres, as in:
“You’ve got lekker fat tackies on your Vôlla, hey?”
Dop
This word has two basic meanings, one good and one bad. First the good: A
dop is a drink, a cocktail, a sundowner, a noggin. When invited for a dop,
be careful! It could be one sedate drink or a blast, depending on the
company. Now the bad: To dop is to fail. If you “dopped” standard two
(Grade 4) more than once, you probably won’t be reading this.
Saamie
This is a sandwich. For generations, school- children have traded
“saamies” during lunch breaks. In South Africa you don’t send your kid to
school with liver-polony saamies. They are impossible to trade.
Bakkie
This word is pronounced “bucky” and can refer to a small truck or pick-up.
If a young man takes his “girl” (date) in a bakkie it could be considered
as a not so “lekker” form of transport because the seats can’t recline.
Howzit
This is a universal South African greeting, and you will hear this word
throughout the country. It is often accompanied with the word “Yes!” as in:
“Yes, howzit?”. In which case you answer “No, fine.”
Now now
In much of the outside world, this is a comforting phrase: “Now now, it’s
really not so bad.” But in South Africa , this phrase is used in the
following manner: “Just wait, I’ll be there now now.” It means “a little
after now”.
Tune grief
To be tuned grief is to be aggravated, harassed. For example, if you argue
with somebody about a rugby game at a braai and the person had too much dop (is a little “geklap”), he might easily get aggravated and say.: “You’re
tuning me grief, hey!”. To continue the argument after this could be unwise
and result in major tuning of grief..
Boet
This is an Afrikaans word meaning “brother” which is shared by all
language groups. Pronounced “boot” but shorter, as in “foot”, it can be
applied to a brother or any person of the male sex. For instance a father
can call his son “boet” and friends can apply the term to each other too.
Sometimes the diminutive “boetie” is used. But don’t use it on someone you
hardly know – it will be thought patronizing and could lead to you getting
a “lekker klap”.
Pasop
From the Afrikaans phrase meaning “Watch Out!”, this warning is used and
heeded by all language groups. As in: “The boss hasn’t had his coffee yet -
so you better pasop boet” Sometimes just the word “pasop!” is enough
without further explanation. Everyone knows it sets out a line in the sand
not to be crossed.
Skop, Skiet en donner
Literally “kick, shoot and thunder”, this phrase is used by many South
African speakers to describe action movies. A Clint Eastwood movie is
always a good choice if you’re in the mood for of a lekker skop, skiet en
donner flick.
Vrot
Pronounced – “frot”. A expressive word which means “rotten” or “putrid” in
Afrikaans, it is used by all language groups to describe anything they
really dislike. Most commonly intended to describe fruit or vegetables
whose shelf lives have long expired, but a pair of old tackies (sneakers)
worn a few years too long can be termed “vrot” by some unfortunate folk
which find themselves in the same vicinity as the wearer. Also a rugby
player who misses important kicks or tackles can be said to have played a
vrot game – opposite to a “lekker” game (but not to his face). A movie was
once reviewed with this headline: “Slick Flick, Vrot Plot.” Could also be
used as an expression” I got vrot last night” (drunk)
Rock up
To rock up is to just, sort of arrive (called “gate crash” in other parts
of the world). You don’t make an appointment or tell anyone you are coming
- you just rock up. Friends can do that but you have to be selective about
it. For example, you can’t just rock up for a job interview.
Scale
To scale something is to steal it. A person who is “scaly” has a doubtful
character, is possibly a scumbag, and should rather be left off the
invitation list to your next braai.
Ja-nee
“Yes No” in English. Politics in South Africa has always been associated
with family arguments and in some cases even with physical fights. It is
believed that this expression originated with a family member who didn’t
want to get a klap or get donnerred, so he just every now and then muttered
“ja-nee”. Use it when you are required to respond, but would rather not
choose to agree or disagree.
So ietsie prettigs vir ‘n Vrydag – en natuurlik die belangrikste van alles:
G O B U L L E ! ! ! !
