Word of the Day — 03 Sep 2026
South African language, developed out of the Dutch spoken in the country since the first Dutch East India Company settlement in the Cape, established in 1652. Afrikaans was considered a dialect of Dutch – known as “Cape Dutch” – until recognised as a language in the late 19th century. From the Dutch for “African”.
Example
They forced us to do Afrikaans in high school.
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Wahala is a Nigerian slang term that means trouble.
Example
Your wife is suspecting us, I don't want wahala.
Also known as S'Pitori, is the language spoken by native people of Pretoria (Pitori). It is a combination of Pedi and Tswana, with a bit of Tsotsi taal.
Example
I speak a bit of Tswana plus sepitori.
Example
Ayeye! The game is about to start!
In Xhosa culture, umgidi is the ceremony that's done to celebrate a boy or boys (mkhwetha) coming back from the mountain (initiation school).
Example
I can't wait to attend umgidi ka Boy
Example
Kwacha means "dawn" in Nyanja, symbolizing a new beginning.
Example
We drank way too much yesterday, ndiyafa yi bhabhalaza.
It means "yes", but it is used as an extremely expressive form of the affirmative. It's often used as a double positive, saying "Yebo yes!".
Example
Man 1: Are you gonna watch the game tomorrow?
Man 2: Yebo yes!
Khemi is a general slang term for muthi or traditional medicine.
Example
He gets his girls using his khemi.
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