Word of the Day [14 May 2026]

Plumber

In South African football, the term "plumber" is a derogatory slang used to describe a coach, often a foreign one, perceived as underperforming or lacking the intellectual or tactical acumen to succeed in the sport. It implies a coach is more suited to a trade like plumbing than managing a football team.

I see Orlando Pirates just hired a plumber to replace Riveiro.

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Fit-ish

Someone who likes the idea of being fit but also likes food.

I may look fit but I regard myself as fit-ish.

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Iqaba

Iqaba is a Nguni term for a barbarian or a person believed to be uncivilised or uncultured.
Plural Amaqaba

They used to call me iqaba because I come from the villages.

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Afrikaner

Afrikaners are a South African ethnic group descended from predominantly Dutch settlers first arriving at the Cape of Good Hope in the 17th and 18th centuries

Contrary to popular belief, Afrikaners are also Africans.

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Zuka

A term we used to use back in the day to refer to the 50c coin. Ama2000 would not know it.

No one:

5 year old me: Ndicela noba yi zuka to buy sweets.

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Mdlezana

Umdlezana is a Xhosa term for a mother of a new born baby.
Plural: Abadlezana

Unqabile because ngumdlezana kaloku.

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Qlyv

Qlyv is a shortened version of "Ndiyaqala uyiva", a Xhosa term that means "it is my first time hearing about it".

Girl 1: I hear you are dating Thabo.
Girl 2: Qlyv

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Hlamba iphepha

A tradition in South Africa that celebrates the end of exam season. It loosely translates to "washing the paper".
High school kids typically go on a drinking spree (underage drinking).

I can't wait for the exams to finish so that sizokuhlamba iphepha.

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Smonday

The moment Sunday stops feeling like a Sunday and the anxiety of Monday kicks in.

It’s starting to feel like Smonday now 😭

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Rhili

Xhosa for adventure. Also the nickname of the last independent Xhosa Paramount Chief. His birth name was Zotana. Often referred to as Sarhili from Sa - sire and Rhili - adventure. It means the father of adventure. As a youth he was said to have been an adventurist.

I am going for a rhili.

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Amandala

The word is used as an intentional misspelling and pronunciation of the word ‘amandla’ which means strength.

The word was popularised on social media after Naomi Campbell said ‘amandala’ instead of the correct ‘amandla’ at the Global Citizen Festival in 2018.

You'll be strong. Hayi wethu Amandala to you.

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