A gemors is bru-ing!

“I skeem my bru’s beak’s bust!” he said. Silence, as I tried to process the words. Initially, I thought I was perhaps having a stroke as although I could hear what he was saying, and although it sounded like English, I couldn’t decode the meaning. Thankfully, he registered my confusion and explained that his friend had fallen while running and had likely broken his nose.

Which was sad. But not as sad as me experiencing a TIA.

The use of slang isn’t unusual. South Africans are particularly fond of their local dialects and the integration of the many different languages and cultures of the country. To say, “howzit” when greeting someone is to declare a South African status without flashing a green ID, and to say, “shame” when you mean cute and not shame, is yet another unfathomable eccentricity of the country.

Although some words cut across generations, there are some words that can define vintage. No-one under 50, for example, will call their partner, “doll”. This might well be because at this stage, they still remember their spouse’s name, but it’s more that the term of endearment has gone the way of Betamax. Or VHS.

Take the reference to a friend as a case in point. My late father, and many of his generation, used to call their friends “my china”. The term might sound slightly racist but in fact has nothing to do with anyone of Asian descent. China means “good friend”, as in, “This oke’s my china” and is one of the few Cockney rhyming slang words to survive in the country. It comes from “china plate”, which is of course “mate ” and “chum”.

If that’s confusing, that was the same age group that called their girlfriends “stukkie”, which to me is more associated with a piece of biltong.

My generation calls their friends “bru”, and my sons and their friends call each other “bro”. Everyone calls the bloke they can’t stand a “chop”. Why? Because that’s what they are. A real chop! Friends still “diss” each other, no matter how old, and a “Checkers” will always be a plastic bag (that can be found under the sink) no matter if it’s from Woolworths, Spar, or Pick n Pay.

Multiculturism in South Africa has meant that words like “Eish!” have crossed the colour line along with words like “Yoh!” Primarily because sometimes they are the only expressions that aptly capture a truly South African moment. Nothing says, “Oy vey!” like “Yoh yoh yoh!” does, and nothing describes a “babelaas” quite like that word.

A “gemors” is what the African National Congress has made of the country, which is why people are “gatvol”. Aside from corruption, they do no “graft” primarily because they don’t “give rocks”.

The blend of languages isn’t unique to South Africa. Anglos living in Israel are known to slip between languages when a more appropriate word works better. What’s relevant to South Africa is that in spite of what a few opportunistic politicians want us to believe, our blended, colourful, and expressive language indicates a shared outlook, a respect for heritage, and a unity that is a delight. And I really “smaak” that.