Do You Like My Dinges?

Happy Friday, Plonkers.

Today is Day #4 of the A to Z Blog Challenge and I've already visited nearly 50 blogs.  Pat on the back puleeease.  Everyone seems to have their shit together this year and are happily raking in the comments and visits.  

All the blogs I've visited seem so prepared and have a well-thought-out themes.  Why do I feel so unorganised?

Okaydokay, back to my theme - Southafricanisms


D is for Dinges [pronounced ding-us]. This is an indeterminate, non-descript thing or term for an object whose name you've momentarily forgotten.  From the Afrikaans language, from ding, which means thing.  Similar to a Thing-a-ma-bob or a whachyamacallit.  

Sometimes, more often than not, referring to a man's genitals.

Usage: "Please pass me my dinges there." "What?" "My dinges. I want to blow it." "You mean your vuvuzela?" "Yes, my vuvuzela.".

Hard Times Will Always Reveal True Chommies

Happy Day No. 3, Pretty Plonkers and that means today is the letter C.  

I think the most diverse thing in South Africa is our culture. They don't call us "The Rainbow" national for nothing.  With eleven official languages and so many ethnic and cultural differences, South Africans pride themselves on their hospitality. 

Chommies [pronounced ch-om-eez] is today's Southafricanism, if you haven't realized it yet.  Chommies is a term meaning "friend" or "buddy", which originates from isiXhoas, one of SA's 11 official languages, which also happens to be Mandela's home language. 

South Africans love making new Chommies, we love entertaining our Chommies and we know the importance of Chommies!  I know I certainly do, and I don't forget to tell my friends how much they mean to me and how much I love them.  I couldn't live without my friendships.

Usage :  "Howzit!  I'll be drinking with my chommies, wanna join us?"

My BFF aka My Bestest "Chommie"

May The Wors Be With You

Hey Precious Plonkers.  Today's letter is B and there are a couple of things that are typically South African that begin with the letter B.

Firstly, Braai [pronounced br-eye] - This is the popular South African version of the backyard barbecue where meats such as steak, chicken and boerewors (pronounced boo-ruh-vorss) are cooked. 

Secondly, Boerewors is a traditional spicy South African sausage made of beef or lamb and is also referred to as wors (vorss). Nothin' like a good boerie roll.  Chances are that you will also be introduced to pap en sous (pronounced pup en sohss) at a braai. Pap is boiled corn meal, and sous is the sauce it is covered with, usually featuring tomato and onions. Tasteeeeeee

Lastly, Biltong [pronounced bill-tong] This South African favourite is dried and salted meat, similar to beef jerky, although it can be made from ostrich, kudu, beef or any other red meat. It is synonymous with rugby, another South African favourite.

Usage:  Ons gaan nou braai, hoor? (Translation : Braai the beloved country).

"I Braai Therefore I am"

Jack White - Lazaretto

Jack decided that April 1st was a perfect day to release a sneak-peak song from his new album "Lazaretto".  I can't tell you how excited I am that his album will be released by Third Man Records, just in time for my birthday in June.

Whooooohoooo!



 

Ayoba Africa

Day One of The A to Z Blog Challenge and we're finally here!  I was late signing up this year (this is my fourth year doing the challenge) and so I am #1055 on the list

A huge, South African welcome to all the old Plonkers and all the new visitors to my wee bloggy.

My Theme for the A to Z Blog Challenge this year is SouthAfricanisms.

So, sit back, relax and you just may be enlightened about South Africa and the jargon we speak.  It is such a beautiful country, that has so much to offer and so many different cultures and quirks.

We start with the Letter A...

Ayoba [pronounced ah-yoh-ba] is a slang term used by South Africans to express amazement.  Its is derived from other slang terms like "Ayeye" and "Ayoyoyo".  It was originally meant as an approval or appreciation of good dancing, other the exact origins of the phrase are unknown. 

"Ayoba" is thought to have roots in a Johannesburg township culture.  It also became really popular during our hosting of the 2010 Soccer World Cup.  Even a major cellphone network, MTN, snapped up the word and used it in all their television commercials.  

It is uniquely and proudly South African and expresses delight, excitement, agreement and approval. It's also used as a greeting.

All-in-all a brilliant Southafricanism.

Usage : Crowd surfin' is totally ayoba!