Word of the Day — 26 Sep 2026

ode

dunse untrained
Example

that boy is an ode

Zack Grealish • 23 February 2025
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Rha

Rha
Pronounced (ggggaaah); is a Khoikhoi word for “plenty” or “enough”. Used in Xhosa as a term for “That’s enough”often in anger and sometimes in disgust hence mistaken for “ew”.
Example

In Khoikhoi: There is a river in the Eastern Cape called Birha. Bi is milk, and rha is plenty. Hence “a place of milk”. Another use is in the Xhosa chief Gambushe’s nickname: Rharhabe meaning “Minister of Plenty”.

In Xhosa it varies:

In a Dismissal Manner

Someone: I’m going to out race you.
Me: Rha! That would be the day.

To stop a child who is hitting another child a parent could say “Stop it. Rha! That’s enough”

In a Disgusting Manner

When a child see poop usually they used to say “Rha! Poo”
When people hear, smells, or see a disgusting thing they can say “Rha!”

In an Elated Manner

A person recounting an exciting moment of thriumph can say “Rha! I out did myself”
Feeling pretty? “Rha! I’m beautiful”

Sgasa • 21 May 2025
Isabhongo is a Xhosa term for that smelly burp, especially after you mix amasi and meat.
Example

What’s that smell? 🤢



Ungodly isabhongo usisi wakho.

Themba • 15 May 2025

Tsonga romantic language words used to refers to "I LOVE YOU💚".
Example

Ndza ku rhandza my wife/husband/ and so on.....
NB: It is used at any person whom you want her/(...) to express your love.

Harold Baloyi • 29 March 2024
Dhloogle is a term used on X, formerly Twitter to refer to Sizwe Dhlomo’s tendency of “knowing” everything under the sun. You can ask him anything and he will have an answer. No articles, no references, just him being sure about everything.
Example

Guy 1: I just heard that in 1994, ANC won the elections but Nelson Mandela made the call to give it to the IFP for stability.

Guy 2: where did you hear that?

Guy 1: From Dhloogle.

OD • 31 May 2024

The incorrect way of spelling "could have".
Example

He could of been killed if it wasn't for me.

Varsity Dude • 26 April 2021
The indigenous name for the City of East London meaning the new farming area or new development. The name was given by the precolonial Xhosas to the City following its establishment after the Sixth Frontier War. Today it is mistakenly pronounced Gompo

owing to the Christianization of the Xhosa language by early African converts writers who owing to growing up in mission station could not comprehend Xhosa properly and had a habit of changing the spelling of Xhosa words they did not understand.
Example

Going to East London?

I’m going to Gombo

Sgasa • 21 May 2025

Kempton Park is a city in the East Rand region of Gauteng province, South Africa. It is part of the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. It is situated south of Tembisa, one of the largest townships in South Africa, which is also part of Ekurhuleni. South Africa's busiest airport, O.R. Tambo International Airport is located in Kempton Park.
Example

We need to go to the airport in Kempton Park.

Maps • 14 June 2024
To leave or go; to move.
Example

Twende, tuko rieng.

Admin • 26 July 2026

Ukuqabula is an informal Xhosa term for taking out babalaas. Basically the act of drinking the morning after a heavy night of drinking.
Example

I'm dying from babalaas now, ndifuna ukuqabula.

MXhosa • 27 September 2022
Not to be confused with Spaza shop... Is the name used to refer to Xhosa rap or Xhosa hip hop. It is not clear how the name went from being a kasi shop to a music genre.
Example

You know guys from cape Town like listening to Spaza music.

Chief • 22 July 2020


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