Word of the Day [01 Jun 2026]
Africtionary
Africtionary is an online dictionary dedicated to African slang. It aims to document and preserve the diverse and evolving language of the African continent.
I found the definition on Africtionary.
Woto Woto
Often heard in football commentary, woto woto describes relentless attack or punishment. In casual conversations, it’s used to describe someone who’s taking a figurative “beating” in an argument or facing harsh circumstances.
"The strikers gave him woto woto" implies they played aggressively, leaving no room for escape.
Fanagalo
Fanagalo or Fanakalo is an informal language mainly spoken in mines across South Africa. It is composed of frequently corrupted elements of the Nguni languages, English and Afrikaans.
I knew they were Zama zamas because I heard them speaking Fanagalo.
Bergie
A derogatory term, originally referred to homeless people who sheltered in the forests of Cape Town’s Table Mountain. It’s now a derogatory word for homeless people in general.
He left home now he is a bergie.