Who is ready for a braai?

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So here we are, it is weekend and it is time to kick off your shoes, have a glass of wine and relax next to a roaring fire and have a braai.

Now if you are South-African like me, you will know exactly what I am talking about ....some chops and wors (sausage) on the grill - pure bliss.

If you are not from South Africa you may be confused and wonder what I am talking about, or maybe you know it as a Barbi or a Barbeque.  

We do not Barbi or barbeque or throw hotdogs or patties on the grill or the gas braai, we braai with wood and use pieces of meat and in true SA style we overdo it with side dishes like "potbrood" (baked bread made in a pot on the fire), mielies, salads etc.

We celebrate Heritage day on the 24th of September - but a lot of people refer to it as National braai day, because gathering your friend in your yard and having a braai is our heritage.  (Nobody ever needs an excuse or a special day to have a braai , come winter or summer, rain or shine.)

If you are not in the mood for a braai (especially now in winter time) you can always make a "potjie" or "potjie kos" (a glorified stew in a black cast iron pot on the fire, but it takes long enough so that you can have a few beers, wine or brandy and Coke (a drink that a lot of SA men love)

Potjiekos

image source

This made me think - how many words and phrases are there that are used in SA that will maybe confuse people from other countries.

Here are a few slang words that we use in my country

• slap chips - oh you know those lovely deep fried chips, but not crispy - still white and soft (direct translation = limb chips)
• lekker - an expression if something is great -The party is lekker man.
• just now - we will do it just now - which means not right now, a bit later
• biltong - dried salted meat  (and if you have ever eaten it you will know what I am going on about)
• droëwors - dried sausage (just as good as biltong)
• dop - slang word used for a drink
• jol - you usally jol after a dop hahaha (going out for a party)
• shebeen - unlegal bar in the township
• bakkie - the Americans will call it a truck
• boot - the trunk of a car

These are but to name a few - but no matter if we confuse some people, we know what we are talking about and we are a friendly nation and say to all Howzit - welcome in sunny SA. Enjoy your stay and have a jol with a dop or two and do not forget the braai.