Words and phrases can hold multiple meanings, as is the case with the Northern Cape’s unique use of language. Dr Lorato Mokwena, a lecturer at the Linguistics Department of the University of the Western Cape (UWC), shares the following examples of English phrases and words that have localised Northern Cape meanings.
June-July
When somebody experiences a June-July situation, it means that the condition is nerve-wracking and scary.
June-July is a phrase used to describe a situation that causes one to tremble like one would as a result of June and July’s freezing weather.
Laptop
To the rest of the world, a laptop is an electronic device.
In Cape Town, a laptop is the makeshift seat the “guard-tjie” inserts between real seats to create additional loading capacity and revenue. To my Northern Cape people who do not know, a “guard-tjie” is a “jumpboy”.
At events in the Northern Cape, a laptop refers to a medium-sized polystyrene container used as a substitute for plates. This container opens and closes like a laptop as it has two divisions – a top and bottom, with the bottom part containing the food. Similar to a laptop, this packaging is typically placed on one’s lap while eating.
My number
This number is not your cell phone number – it is the song that instantly brings you to your feet. It is your jam. As a country, we have two unquestionable numbers: “Sister Bettina” and “Nkalakatha”.
So next time you are at a party in the Northern Cape and someone exclaims, “speel my number daar” (play my number), get ready for jubilation expressed in song and dance.
Fish oil
Fish oil is the Northern Cape’s general term of reference for the oil used for cooking purposes and this oil is not derived from fish (as is the case with actual fish oil).
As a generic term, fish oil includes oil sourced from canola, sunflowers, coconuts, olives and so forth. If you use the oil to cook, it is fish oil.
Hot stuff
In the Northern Cape, hot stuff is a nickname for spirits. The “hot” is not indicative of the temperature of the beverage – “hot” refers to the effect consuming spirits has on one. Spirits served without a mixer or “dash” tend to slightly burn one’s throat, and depending on the quantity can immediately make one feel hot.
Jam
In the Northern Cape, earwax is colloquially referred to as jam, as its sticky texture is comparable to that of bread jam. The question “Het jy jam in jou ore?” (Do you have jam in your ears) is a common question posed to a child who is being scolded for not listening to instructions.
- Do you know other Northern Cape English terms? Mokwena invites readers to share these at noordkaapding@gmail.com.
