Zol, yoh, gatvol, sharp-sharp: SA slang words make it into Oxford dictionary

South Africa is a country with a rich mix of languages that reflects its diverse people. 

In addition to the 12 official languages, there are many informal words that people use every day. 

Some of these slang terms have now been recognised globally!

Here's a list of the words that have been officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary:

Yoh 

An exclamation that powerfully conveys surprise, admiration, or distress. The Oxford English Dictionary traces its roots back to 1855, originating from Afrikaans and isiXhosa.

Gatvol

A slang term from Afrikaans that perfectly captures the feeling of frustration or having had enough. It made its first appearance in 1980.

The hell-in 

A striking phrase adapted from an Afrikaans expression, indicating that someone is genuinely annoyed or upset.

Tjoekie 

A term for "prison" that dates back to 1977. It was initially brought to South Africa by English-speaking Indian immigrants and has since become an integral part of South African English adopted through Afrikaans.

Seshweshwe and shweshwe

This distinctive printed cotton fabric was originally dyed indigo, though it now comes in a wide range of colors. Hailing from Southern SeSotho, it is a staple in traditional clothing.

Makarapa

First recorded in 1999, this term refers to the hard hats worn by miners. Today, it is widely recognised as the decorated helmets that football fans don to show their team spirit.

Zol

A popular slang term for marijuana or a hand-rolled joint, with origins that remain somewhat ambiguous.

Moggy

First documented in 1984, this term describes someone behaving irrationally or completely out of touch with reality.

Sharp-sharp 

A confident and casual way of saying hello or goodbye, and a compliment to someone's appearance. It was first recorded in 1991 and is now commonly used.