LANGUAGE

South African umbrella in London
South African English has many local words that don’t translate or mean the same to British people.  

https://public.oed.com/blog/south-african-english/

Here are just a few phrases that may save some embarrassment:

In Britain

In South Africa

Pants

Underpants

Trousers

Pants (you will get looks / laughed at for referring to your trousers as pants!)

Tights

Stockings

Nickers

Panties

Jumper

Jersey (Jersey is an island off the coast of France)

Trainers

Tekkies

Wellies

Gumboots

Boiler

Geyser

Bag

Packet (may refer to a gentleman’s private parts)

Traffic light

Robot

Roundabout

Traffic circle

Mobile

Cellphone

Text

Sms

Football

Soccer

Barbecue

Braai (even if you’re having a braai with SA mates, tell your British colleagues it was a BBQ)

Posh

Larney

Bank holiday

Public holiday

Tangerine or clementine

Naartjie

Crisps

Chips, as in “Simba chips”

Chips

Chips, as in “slap chips”

Beer

Ale

Lager

Beer

At some point in the future / past

Just now

Just now

Now-now

 


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