Word of the Day [04 Jun 2026]

Haibo

An expression of surprise or shock (basically means wow), mostly used by Xhosa speaking people. It can also be spelt as Hayibo.


Haibo, is this really happening?

Jaga-jaga

Jaga-jaga is a Nigerian slang term that means disorganised or disorderly.


Oboy, that beb na jaga jaga gal.

Colloquial

(of language) used in ordinary or familiar conversation; not formal or literary.


We use a lot of colloquial terms in our everyday lingo.


Holding a candle

A term used when someone tags along with a couple, either on a date or when they are just chilling.


I'm tired of always being the one holding a candle. I need a girlfriend.

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”.


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”


Pitori

Also known as Pretoria. This is the capital city of South Africa. The people of this city speak what they call SePitori.


I know I'm a dick, akere I'm from Pitori.

Batla u hurda

It is a basic Sotho term that means they will hurt you. It is also a warning to the guys that girls are animals it's better to be single and drink alcohol


When you friends see that Amanda is going to play with your fellings, they simply use the term like
"🗣: Batla u hurda boy tlohella ngwanana enwa"


Sekisi

A very weird way of spelling Sex. These people do it on social media.


I thought they broke up a long time ago only to find out they still have sekisi everyday.

Ingcibi

Ingcibi is a Xhosa traditional surgeon who performs circumcisions on young males during initiation.


His grandfather is ingcibi of the village.


Umkhwetha

A young Xhosa man being initiated into manhood at initiation school.
Plural is abakhwetha.


He is scarce on facebook because ngumkhwetha.

Mjita/out

A guy/ gentleman/clever man


How's it Mjita; 'm just Moja (fine)




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