SA Mil Terminology

South African military slang, abbreviations, and jargon (mostly SADF/Border War era) — a reference for interpreting period terminology that turns up on person records, Comments, stories, and dedications elsewhere on the site.

776 terms
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Term Definition
A
Aapjas A long, hooded coat usually with a fake fur lining (post 1983 issue version).
Aapkas (1) Metal platform / cage, sited on a radio mast in SWA / Angola ops bases; used as a lookout post / fire director station for base defence mortars.
Aap Kas (2) Also known as the jump simulation cable rig at 44 Para.
Aangekla/kla-ed aan Put on a charge. See also: DD1, Klaa aan/on, Office Orders.
AB Navy: Able Seaman (Lance Corporal).
Adjudant (1) commissioned officer appointed as executive officer to unit OC / 2IC.
Adjudant (2) abridged Afrikaans form of address for rank of Warrant Officer (SA Police).
AFB Air Force Base.
Afgekeur Turned down, rejected.
Afkak A state or condition in which you will not enjoy yourself -- literally, to 'shit' oneself.
Afkak-kamp An unpleasant camp.
Afkak parade Punishment parade.
African bangles Handcuffs (SA Police slang).
Air Pollution Paratroopers.
AK-47 Avtomat Kalashnikova assault rifle.
Akedis Dorp The name given to the transit camp at 1 SAI (lit. "Lizard City").
Alley Navy: Any passage on a ship where the crew would walk.
Alouette French-designed helicopter gunship. Also known as "Draadkar".
Antonov Soviet/Russian transport aircraft manufacturer (Antonov An-series).
AO Afrikaans form of address for rank of Warrant Officer (SA Police, pre-1994).
APM Anti-Personnel Mine.
Armscor Armaments Corporation of South Africa.
Asdic Navy: submarine-searching equipment, detecting submerged submarines by bouncing sound signals off their metal hulls underwater.
AWOL Absent Without Official Leave.
B
Babbelaas A hangover.
Bakgat (also "BG") Good, great, ok, nice.
Bakkie Light delivery van.
Bakshee For free (from the Arabic word).
Balkie Corps colours worn on the beret under unit badge.
Ballas Balls/Testicles.
Balsak Literally ball bag (as in soccer ball bag): military canvas kitbag / duffel bag.
Basics Basic training, usually lasting about 10 weeks.
BSM Battery Sergeant Major -- Artillery Corps equivalent of a Company Sergeant Major (CSM).
B & O Bestuur en Onderhoud -- "Driving and Maintenance" course.
Ballas Bak "Ball baking" -- laying around doing nothing and taking it easy.
Bataljon aantreeparade Battalion forming up on a parade ground.
Battle Jacket SADF patten 83 battlejacket.
Battle Jacket SADF pattern-83 battle jacket, with pouches for ammunition, rat-pack, bandages, flares, radio, etc.
Bedford The large truck dating from the 1950's, later renamed the SAMIL. See SAMIL.
Befok Mad, or "fucked".
Belay that Stop what you're doing.
Berede Mounted Infantry-Horse/motorcycle.
Beskadiging van Weermag Eindom Damaging military property - including yourself - a very serious offence.
Bevelvoerder Officer Commanding.
Bicycle Second lieutenant - any officer you could stand on like a bicycle - being the lowest commissioned office.
BIG DAD Bedford -- SA Police terminology in Rhodesia.
Biltong Dried meat (cf. US pemmican / jerky).
Bidparade Church parade / prayer service.
Binnacle A metal stand on the bridge which would hold the gyro compass in a free floating position so it always remained flat no mater how badly the ship was pitching or rolling.
Bivvy One-man field / bivouac / pup tent.
Black is Beautiful Matt black camouflage paste, used for personal camouflaging.
Black Widow Type of anti personnel mine.
Blesbok A dropside logistics carrier version of the Casspir mine-resistant APC, mainly used by the SA Police on border duties. Also nicknamed a "Casspir bakkie".
Bliksem Hit, smack, punch. Also a tough / hard person -- "he's a real bliksem!" Also a mild cursing expression (e.g. "jou bliksem!" -- literally, thunder).
Bloem Bloemfontein.
Blood Box A field ambulance.
Blougat A troop who was no longer a 'roof' and not quite an 'ouman'. Term origin: the SAAF at one stage issued blue overalls for training, which would slowly leach dye into the wearer's skin -- 'blougat' (blue arse) denoted having served long enough for this to happen.
Blou-jobs South African Air Force personnel.
Bluestone A "myth" referring to an ingredient (usually in coffee) said to reduce sex drive.
Bobbejaanloop (lit. "baboon walk") Field stealth movement, requiring moving crouched down or on all fours.
Boer A term describing an Afrikaans person, meaning 'farmer'.
Boerewors An SA sausage.
Boertjie Slang for an Afrikaner -- literally 'little farmer'.
Boet Brother / male friend.
Bokkie Girlfriend.
Bokkop A member of the Infantry Corps (named after the springbok-head corps badge).
Bomverband Bomb bandage -- packaged bandage for high-trauma blood injury.
Boma Recreational area enclosed by thatch.
Bombardier The artillery equivalent of a Corporal.
Bombevok Shell-shocked / stir-crazy.
Bone Method of shining shoes.
Border, the The South West African border with Angola.
Border Tour Usually a 1-3 month stint in the SWA Operational Zone.
Boom Marijuana.
Boompie Toer Punishment in the form of a run to an earmarked tree and back.
Bosberaad A meeting in the bush.
Bos Bussie A vehicle in the bush following punishment session.
Bosbefok Literally 'bush crazy' -- addicted to combat.
Boshoed SADF nutria-brown bush hat, worn with "browns" (battledress uniform).
Boshoed Poes The stitching line, meaning 'pussy', on the boshoed, which had to face backwards when worn.
Bosbok An Aermacchi AM.3C light aircraft used primarily for targeting, intelligence and forward air control.
Bossies Bush-mad, or 'combat crazy'.
Bosuns whistle/pipe A whistle used to signal commands.
Bos Oupa A soldier who has completed two border tours.
Bots Botswana.
Bowline A type of knot used for securing a running rope to a fixed position.
Bra Shortened version of 'Brother' -- meaning 'mate'.
Braai A barbecue.
Brake Shoes Provita Biscuits.
Bravo Wiel Military signalling terminology for a Buffel APC.
Bren The Bren 7.62mm light machine gun.
Bru Another shortened version of 'Brother' -- meaning 'mate'.
Broom Navy: a broom flown upside down from the flag halyard on the main signal halyard indicates a "clean sweep", lit. "all the enemies have been destroyed or sunk".
Brow When anyone crossed the brow of the ship (where the gangplank was) you would turn and salute the National colour on the jackstay fora'rd.
Brown Job/s Army personnel who were qualified pilots.
Browns The general fatigues worn by the SADF.
Buffel South African-made 4x4 mine-resistant armoured personnel carrier (APC).
Burger Sake Civic Action -- a "hearts and minds" campaign.
Buddy Friend or fellow platoon member.
Budgie Club South African Air Force members.
Budgie The cap badge of the South African Air Force.
Bulkhead Navy: any wall, or any metal wall separating cabins/compartments.
Bunker Enclosed defensive position, usually made of sandbags; usually below ground.
Bungalow Bill A representative of a bungalow elected to liaise with Officers and NCO's.
Bunting Tosser (TO-T) Navy: Telecommunications Operator Tactical -- the Signalman who handled NATO and INTERCO signal flags, Semaphore, Aldis lamps, Colours and Sunset, and the encryption and decryption of coded signals.
Bush Pips Cloth shoulder slip-on officers' insignia for 'bush' operations, with embroidered 'pips'.
Buster Power Term used by fighter pilots for full power.
BX Navy: Bravo X-Ray sent as a flag signal, lit. "splice the main brace" -- real meaning "give the men their rum ration", latterly "everyone have a drink".
BZ Navy: Bravo Zulu as a flag signal, lit. "Extremely well done".
C
Casevac Casualty Evacuation.
Casspir A mine-protected infantry mobility vehicle (IFV), designed by the CSIR.
Camos Camouflage fatigues or dress.
CB Confined to barracks.
CC Coloured Corps (should properly be CCC).
CF Citizen Force.
Cheetah Atlas Aircraft Corporation-developed fighter jet for the SAAF, adapted from the Mirage III using Israeli Kfir technology.
Chest webbing Pouches for loaded R4/R5 magazines, pencil flare, box of R4/R5 ammunition (30 rounds), and a flap on the back for maps etc.
Chicken a la Landmine Derogatory reference to chopped / shredded chicken stew with bones.
Chicken Parade Picking up litter and cigarette butts in an area.
China Friend -- from English cockney rhyming slang 'china plate' = 'mate', picked up during the Boer War.
Chommie Friend.
Chop An idiot.
Choppermanne Helicopter crew.
Civvies (1) Civilian clothes.
Civvies (2) The general public not serving in the army.
Civvy Street Civilian Life.
Claymore mine Small curved mine used for ambushes.
Clicks Kilometers.
Clutchplate A negative term for an Afrikaner.
Clutchplate A tinned hamburger patty.
CO (1) Commanding Officer.
CO (2) Candidate Officer.
COIN Counter Insurgency.
Commcen The communications centre.
Com Ops Communication Operations.
Comms Communications.
Contact Contact Wait Out Command to have radio silence whilst report is being prepared after initial contact with enemy, usually at section level.
Cozzie Swimming costume or trunks.
Crest Every ship would have a crest at the Quartermasters position depicting the ships name and heraldry.
Crunchie A derogatory term for an Afrikaner.
CSM Company Sergeant Major.
Cuca shop (SWA / Angola ops) Informal grocery / general dealers shop, varying in size / stock.
D
Dagga Marijuana.
Dak Dakota DC-3 transport aircraft.
Dankie Tannie (organisations) Lit. "Thank you, Auntie" -- the Southern Cross Fund and similar organisations.
Dankie Tannie mes Swiss Army-style penknife, gifted by the Southern Cross Fund.
Dankie Tannie pakkie A goodie bag issued to soldiers at Christmas by concerned civilian organisations.
Dapper Duisend Members of the Riot / Internal Stability / Public Order units (SA Police slang).
Daraclor A brand of anti-malaria pills (legend had it they turned the skin yellow).
Damduiker Lit. "dam diver" -- nickname given to the SA Navy Marines.
DB Detention barracks.
DD1 Official SADF pro-forma document, used to record disciplinary offences. See also: Aangekla/kla-ed aan, Klaa aan/on, and Office Orders.
Dear John Term used for the 'break-up' letter from a girlfriend or wife.
Deck Navy: any floor or anywhere you walked whether aboard ship or not.
Deckhead Navy Any ceiling.
Dems Demolitions.
Depth charge or Depth charge mortar A device that was fired up to 1000 meters from the ship and set to a particular depth for explosion.
Devil dodger Member of the Chaplains service.
Diepseun An introspective / introverted chap; on his own wavelength.
Dikbek Fed up, grumpy.
Dikkop Literally "thickhead" -- a stupid, dimwitted person.
Dinges Thingami-bob, whats-its-name.
Disco Biscuit Narcotic drugs.
Divisions Navy term -- the crew on a ship were divided into Port and Starboard divisions, and operated on a watch system.
Dixie Mess / tiffin tin set, for eating from in the field.
Doctor Shock Psychiatrist.
Doff Stupid, thickhead.
Dog biscuit Large, square, coarse wholegrain biscuit, found in ration ("rat") packs.
Doggie (1) punishment routine, involving carrying / dragging / otherwise moving truck tyres.
Doggie (1) Punishment routine, involving carrying / dragging / otherwise moving truck tyres.
Dog Tags The two metal plates worn on a chain around your neck which indicated your name, army number, blood group and religion.
Doiby Plastic helmet liner / inner.
Dominee Dutch Reformed Church Minister.
Domkop An idiot, literally dumb head.
Donder (Lit. "thunder") a mild curse, or a threat to strike ("donder") somebody.
Donderbuis Thunderflash.
Doodsakker Killing ground.
Dooies Dead.
Doos (1) Derogatory term for female genetalia.
Doos (2) A stupid person.
Doos dief A civilian who 'steals' your girlfriend while you're in the service.
Dop A drink of alcohol / to fail with something.
Dop en Dam Any alcoholic drink, mixed with water.
Dop en Tjop A braai / BBQ, with alcohol consumption.
Doppies The cartridge cases left over from shooting.
Dowit Dud/unexploded ammunition.
Draadkar Alouette III helicopter.
Drol Turd, usually describing somebody in a derogatory way.
D Tank Corrugated steel water storage tank, usually mounted on a scaffolding tower.
DSB Deep sea boat.
Duiker A fuel bowser / tanker version of the Casspir mine resistant APC, used by the SA Police.
Dutchman A derogatory term for an Afrikaner.
E
ECC End Conscription Campaign.
Eenvormig Term whereby everything had to be uniform.
Eina! Ouch!
Eish! Zulu origin -- an expression of resignation.
Ek sê I say!
Eland Armoured car, also known as a "Noddy car".
Engelsman Englishman.
Engine Mountings Braised Steak.
Ensign Navy (1) The Navy flag which flew at the stern of the ship, the battle ensign was much larger.
Ensign Navy: (1) the Navy flag which flew at the stern of the ship; the battle ensign was much larger.
ERA and ERM Navy: Engine Room Artificer/Engine Room Mechanic.
Esbit tablets / pille Compressed paraffin solid fuel tablets, for cooking with in the field.
Esbit stove Rectangular fold-open miniature one-man field cooker, fuelled by esbit tablets.
EWO Navy: Electronic Weapons Operator (Missiles or electronic quick firers/gatlings).
F
Fakkel A Flare.
FAPLA People's Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola.
Fashion parade Where every piece of kit is used in an opfok the night before an inspection.
Firing-in Weapons sighting.
Fire bucket Aluminium mug with fold-up handle, fitted over the military canteen / water bottle.
Flash (1) Metal badge worn on stepouts shoulder/sleeves depicting unit.
Flash (2) Tupperware shoulder flash depicting unit worn on fatiques (browns or camos).
Flossie The C130 Hercules.
Flying Meatballs Derogatory term for the parabats.
Fly Spy Nickname for SADF members tasked with spraying insecticide in border bases.
FNLA National Front for the Liberation of Angola.
Fok Fuck.
Foghog A fan mounted on the rear of an SAP 'bakkie' which blows CS powder onto crowds of rioters.
FUBAR Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition.
G
G1K1 Medically healthy and fit for service, perfect cannon fodder.
G2K1 Healthy but wearing glasses or a hearing aid, or had bad eyes -- physically in good condition. Perfect cannon fodder too.
G2K2 As above, they thought there may have been something else wrong but did not investigate.
G3K3 Usually asthma sufferers were G3.
G3K (Fucked Up) Infantry slang nickname for the G3 rifle, punning on the medical fitness-category codes (G1K1, G2K2, etc.).
G4K4 These were soldiers with serious medical problems.
GT Temporary deferment due to medical grounds.
G5/GP The army considered you dead, you were of no use to them at all. Medically discharged.
G3 An older 7.62mm assault rifle made by Heckler & Koch, also known in SADF service as the R2.
Gashfanny Rubbish receptacle on board a ship.
G5 155mm howitzer -- the backbone artillery piece of the SADF.
G6 155mm self-propelled gun, also known as the "Rhino".
Gatvol Fed up, had enough.
Gemsbok An armoured recovery vehicle, based on the Casspir mine resistant APC, used by the SA Police.
Geen skerp punt ammunisie, doppies of dele daarvan in my besit nie Weapons safety phrase in Afrikaans, meaning "no sharp-point ammunition, cartridge cases, or parts thereof in my possession".
Genie (Afr) Engineers.
Gharrie Land Rover (from the Arabic word, picked up by SA troops in World War Two in the desert).
Gippo / gyppo Taking chances, skiving, getting out of doing something.
Gippoguts Diarrhoea / upset stomach.
Go Cart Fibreglass toilet shells which were placed over a hole dug in the ground.
Gogga SAAF Officers Course phrase for extended period of excercise.
Gomgat Redneck.
Goof or Goef To go for a swim.
Goolies Testicles.
Grondseil Ground sheet: forming flooring section of a bivvy / larger tent.
Grootjas / aapjas Long khaki / green serge military greatcoat (pre 1983 issue).
Grootsak (literally"big bag"): large square rucksack, attaching to webbing harness, for carrying majority of kit (earlier pattern webgear). Later pattern, referring to the H frame backpack.
GOS Afrikaans abbreviation for the English JOC (Joint Operations Centre).
Gumba Nickname given to police riot control / mass transit trucks (SA Police slang).
Gunner A private in the artillery.
Gunship Alouette helicopter with door mounted armament (also see K Car).
GV (Grens vegter) "Border warrior" -- a "Rambo" type.
GV Photo Photo taken of you, and/or you and your pals, with multiple weapons and your best "Rambo" look.
H
Haak-en-steek A type of thorn bush.
Haasman / Haasvrou Civilian/ member of the public (SA Police slang).
Hase (plural) civilians / members of the public (SA Police slang).
Hardegat (Afr) Hardassed, stubborn, non conformist.
Heads Navy: Toilets.
Heave to Navy: stop the ship (has reference to ancient times when the sails were heaved closed or the oars pulled in to stop rowing).
HE High Explosive.
Hindernis Oorsteking Obstacle crossing.
Hoezit / howzit Hullo.
Hoofdeksel I.e. head-gear - beret, hat or helmet.
Hoofhek Main Gate.
Hopper Frequency hopping radio.
Hot Area Area with confirmed enemy presence.
Hotbox A rectangular steel container, used to transport hot food from base to the field / to dish food up from in base.
Honey Sucker A large tank with a pump to empty latrines, sewers and manholes.
Houding Character, style. Most often applied to a person's beret, bush hat ("boshoed") or browns (uniform) -- implying they had been formed correctly, for example a beret shaped just right, or browns ironed in such a way that you could see the soldier had some service behind him (not a "roof", but an "ouman"). See also: Paraat.
Hundreds Meaning 'I'm fine'
Hurry up and wait Military sarcasm for been rushed and then doing nothing.
I
Impala Italian-designed Aermacchi MB-326 fighter jet, built under licence in South Africa by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation.
Impimpi IsiZulu language term for a police informer.
In sy moer Damaged, destroyed, "buggered" (considered a mild swear word).
Inkatha Inkatha Freedom Party.
Intel Intelligence.
Intreetoetse Entry Tests.
Isit Meaning 'is it' -- usually an expression of surprise.
J
Jack Navy: the National Flag which was flown on the prow of the ship, and the pole it was hung on was known as a Jackstay. A Jackstay was also any fixed pole on the ship used to secure a line for rigging purposes, for example.
Jaff Olive green personal camouflage cream, supplied in tubes.
Jags Sexually aroused, 'horny'.
Jam stealer Member of the supply services / logistics corps (origins: British and Rhodesian military).
Jammy A 'car', from English rhyming slang 'jam jar' = 'car'.
January intake National Serviceman intake scheduled for January; two intakes were held each year.
Jati A long strip on the border cleared by bulldozer. Alternate spelling: "Yatti". Also known as the "Kaplyn" (cut line).
Jiffy Condom.
Jiffy Bag Body bag. Could also refer to a condom (see Jiffy), or to the plastic bags in the rat pack used for mixing cool-drink powder in.
Jimmy Member of the Signal Corps (origins - British military).
Jimmy Navy: The First Lieutenant. XO normally (Executive Officer) The Skippers 2 IC. For example Prince Philip was the Jimmy on HMS Whelp before she became the SAS Simon van der Stel.
Jippogat An avoider of duties.
Jirra From Afrikaans for 'Here' - the Almighty.
Jislaaik! Expression of surprise.
JL's Junior Leadership Course -- officer and NCO intensive training.
JOC Joint Operations Centre (combined all services command centre / post).
Jol To party / have fun.
July intake National Serviceman intake scheduled for July; two intakes were held each year.
Jungle Bunny Highly derogatory term for an African.
Jumpers Special heavy boots worn by parabats.
Jungle juice Tinned fruit juice concentrate, diluted with water, served at tea breaks / meals.
Junior Rates Navy: any sailors from Leading Seaman downwards (Corporal).
Just Now A SA phrase meaning "I will do it sometime -- just not now -- maybe never."
K
Kak Shite, crap, rubbish, nonsense (vulgar).
Kak houding Bad or shit attitude (vulgar).
Kak off Shit off (vulgar).
kakgat A latrine literally 'shit hole' (vulgar).
Kakhuis Offisier Candidate Officer translation meaning 'Shit House' or 'Toilet' Officer.
Kamper A SADF member performing periodic one to 3 month reserve callups, for"camps".
Kanondonkie (Gun donkey) a member of the Artillery Corps.
Kaplyn (Lit. "cut line") reference to the cleared strip demarcating the SWA / Angola border. Also known as "Jati" / "Yatti".
Kapoen The beret colour of one of the PSC (Personnel Services Corps), best described as a clay-shit brown. "Kapoen" derived because it was "tussen kak en pampoen" (a mixture of shit and pumpkin).
Kas (1) Prison Cell.
Kas (2) Steel Cupboard.
Kateefie The mixture of tea, coffee and cocoa served in galvanised rubbish bins, with the condensed-milk tin chucked in with just the lid removed.
Kay Kilometer.
K Car Nickname for the helicopter-gunship derivative of the Alouette III light helicopter.
Kiff Cool or Great.
Killick Navy: Leading Seaman (Corporal).
Kippie Someone who does basic errands for a more senior NCO or Officer - also known as 'Kippie the cunt' as it was not seen as a highly prized role - army sarcasm.
Kitskonstabel Derogatory nickname for SA Police special constables.
Klaa aan/on To be charged with contravening the military disciplinary code. See also: DD1, Aangekla/kla-ed aan, Office Orders.
Klaarstaan Time period before dawn, and again from sunset to last light, when personnel in operational-area bases "stand-to", manning perimeter defences.
Klap To smack / hit.
Klaar Finish.
Klaar in Report for Duty.
Klaar Out To finish national service or clear out of a unit.
KO Kandidaat Offisier - Candidate Officer abbreviation.
Koevoet The South African Police anti-terrorist unit -- translation 'crowbar'.
Koffiemoffie Slang for a homosexual flight steward.
Kookwater Literally "boiling water" -- used to express 100% agreement, or extreme satisfaction. Particular to the Army Battle School at Lohatla, or to Mechanised Units who trained there.
K*nt grabbas Hands.
Kontak Contact with the enemy.
Kommandant Lieutenant-Colonel equivalent.
Kop smokkel Lit. "smuggling with my head" -- confusing / misleading someone.
Korporaal Corporal.
Kort Diens Short Service -- a 3-year short-service contract, more than National Service but less than a full Permanent Force career.
Kos tiffie Alternative nickname for members of the Catering Corps / military chefs.
Kraal Rural communal village / settlement, fenced -in group of traditional African huts.
Kranskakker Rude nickname for members of the SADF Commando reserves (due to badge design).
Kwaai Cool, excellent.
Kwela kwela Nickname for SA Police riot trucks (SA Police slang and township "tsotsitaal").
Kwevoel SAMIL 100 with a mine-protected cab -- built as a recovery vehicle, fuel tanker, Valkiri rocket-launcher carrier, and other roles. Named after the grey go-away-bird ("kwevoel" in Afrikaans).
Kydaar A derogatory term for an Afrikaner, meaning 'look there' -- usually applied to holidaymakers.
L
Lag Laugh.
Landmine stew Derogatory reference to stews made with chopped beef / mutton, bones included.
Langarm Conservative dance style used at military balls.
Lapbaadjie Member of the CID / detective branch / plainclothesmen (SA Police slang).
Lance Bomb (1) Artillery Corps nickname for lance bombardier rank / eqv: lance corporal.
Lance Bomb (2) SA Police nickname for lance sergeant rank / eqv: SADF sergeant.
Lance Jack Nickname for a lance corporal (British military origin).
Landmine Chicken Chicken stew.
Lank Lots, many.
Larny The boss, main man / something fancy or smart.
Lebbo A South African of Lebanese origin.
Leeukos (lit. "lion food") Disrespectful term for a senile person (SA Police slang).
Lekker Nice, good, great.
Leopard crawl Field stealth movement, requiring crawling forward in cover, flat on the ground.
Lighty A young male child / male juvenile -- literally, a light-weight.
Light Duty Member placed on limited / restricted activity schedule by a military doctor.
Lighteplighte Person on Light Duties.
Likkewaan Members of the SA Prisons Service / Correctional Services (SA Police slang).
Line Navy: any larger rope. A small rope on a whaler, for example, was called a painter.
Links Left.
LMG Light Machine Gun (either a Bren or FN MAG).
Loadies Uniformed SAAF load masters.
Location An African township.
Long drop Latrine trench / pit toilet.
Long Tikkie Method used for making free calls from a telephone booth.
Looi Thrash, bomb or get the better of.
Loopas Double time / on the double.
Loopgraaf Trench.
Loot Slang for a lieutenant.
Luitenant Lieutenant.
LSD Lam, Siek en Dooies (Lame, Sick and the Dead) -- derogatory term for light-duty members.
Lunar Ops Combined SAAF / paratroop COIN operations, by night in Owamboland.
LWT The transport park.
M
MAG A 7.62mm belt-fed machine gun.
Magsnommer Force or Service number allocated to all serving members.
Makalani palm Indigenous species of palm tree, common to SWA / Angola ops area.
Makorro Traditional African dugout canoe, found in the Caprivi area of SWA.
Mahangu beer Owambo made home-brewed sorghum beer (SWA / Angola ops area).
Mal Mad, crazy, insane.
Mampara Idiot, stupid.
Manne Men.
Marine Navy: Seaborne Infantry.
Matelot Navy Personnel.
MBV Myn Bestande Voertuig -- translated as 'mine-proof vehicle'.
Meat Bomb Paratrooper.
Meat Pie Military Policeman.
Menasiespeurder Member employed in police messes (lit. mess detective) (SA Police slang).
Messdeck Navy: The place you lived, ate and slept.
Mielie Maize / corn cob.
Mik en Drik Translation: 'aim and fire'.
Mills Sight Removable sight for mortars.
Min Dae / Min Days Only a few days left -- an 'attitude' near the end of service, usually accompanied by a hand signal pushing the pinkie and forefinger closely together in a salute.
Min Gespin Not bothered / couldn't care less.
Mirage French-designed fighter flown by the SAAF -- Dassault Mirage III, F1 AZ & CZ (sometimes nicknamed "Vlamgat", see Vlamgat).
MLOS/MAOT Mobile Air Operations Team.
Muis en Sluitstuk The breech block and slide of an R1 rifle.
Muggie Gnat / midge / bug.
Moegoe Stupid person.
Moffel A mine resistant logistics carrier version of the Buffel APC (also called a Buffel Bakkie).
Moffie Male homosexual (derogatory).
Moer Hit.
Moer in Mad, angry.
Moering tool An object used for hammering with (usually a hammer).
Moer strip To become annoyed / be annoyed by someone or something.
Moer-toe Messed up, destroyed.
Moerass Padda Military Policeman.
Moerse goed Very good or excellent.
Mog Nickname for the SADF Mercedes-Benz Unimog light-utility 4x4 truck.
Mooi Moois Step outs, as in beret, stable belt, putties and cravat.
MP Military Police.
MPLA People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola.
Mugu A fool, or perhaps more aptly, a useless fool.
Munt Highly offensive term of an African (Rhodesian slang).
Muntus Highly offensive term for a group of Africans (Rhodesian slang).
Muti Medicine, ointment (pronounced "mootie").
MVL/MRL Multiple Rocket Launcher.
N
NAAFI Abbreviation for No Ambition And Fuck-all Interest.
Naai the beat To stand guard.
Nagsig Carrots (fresh or tinned).
Nasrec National Recreation Centre, from where persons from Johannesburg were mustered for service.
NCO Non Commissioned Officer.
NDP /NSM Nationale Dienspligtige or National Serviceman in English.
Necklacing Insurgency practice of placing a tyre around a person's neck with fuel, and lighting it -- usually applied to an informant.
NG Kerk The Dutch Reformed Church, the official religion of the SADF.
Noddy car Eland 90 armoured car, based on a French Panhard.
Nogal What's more.
Nooit Never.
Number 5 The most popular Ration Pack, it contained a can of Cocktail Sausage.
Nutria The 'Brown' colour used on all SADF combat fatigues.
Nyala Armoured riot control vehicle used by the SA Police, succeeding the Casspir APC.
O
OC Officer Commanding.
Office Orders (aka "Office Bearing"; Afrikaans: "Kantoor Houding") A disciplinary hearing before an officer, at which a charged soldier answers for an offence recorded on a DD1. See also: DD1, Aangekla/kla-ed aan, Klaa aan/on.
OH Drills Onmiddelikke Handlings drills meaning Immediate action drill in English.
Oke Guy.
Olifant Mk1B main battle tank.
Olifant Ore 'Elephant ears' -- dust filters on a helicopter.
Om die kakhuis gaan Punishment - to run around the shithouse.
Omkeer Command to 'about turn'.
One-liner A Lance Corporal.
Oom Term of respect for an older man, literally 'uncle'.
Oortjies Little Ears.
OP Observation post.
Opfok Literal meaning 'fuck-up' -- term given to a punishment exercise.
Oppie Abbreviation of 'opfok' -- term for a punishment exercise.
Ops Operations.
Ops Medic Combat Medic with additional training.
Ops Room Operations Room - command control centre.
Ops Officer Commissioned Officers controlling Operations.
Oorlog SADF, or its members (SA Police slang).
OS (Ordinary Seaman) Once course-qualified, an Ordinary Seaman was automatically promoted to AB.
Oshivello A base inside the operational area in South West Africa.
Ou (plural ouens) / oke Man, bloke.
Ouballie / outoppie Father, old man.
Ouman A veteran SADF conscript, with more than one year's completed service.
Oumanne A group of veteran conscripts -- literally 'old men'.
Owambo burgers A meal made from thick dog biscuits, vienna sausages and processed cheese, baked in the biscuit's tinfoil packaging on a bushfire or Esbit stove. Quite tasty, actually.
Owambo piele Vienna sausages.
Owambo Rico Extremely potent home-brewed liquor, distilled from the sap of the makalani palm tree (SWA / Angola ops area).
P
Paal PT ("pole PT") Fitness / punishment physical training, involving use of logs / poles; carried collectively, or individually / used as weights during calesthenics.
Packed out swastikas Running with arms and legs pumping.
Pakkie Package or Parcel.
Pap Maizemeal porridge.
Papa Military signalling terminology for a road (SWA / Angola theatre). (eg: die Wit papa).
Paraat Well-disciplined / has "houding" (bearing).
Parabat A parachute battalion member.
Pass Permission for a short break to go home.
Passout Parade The parade to dismiss all for a short break to go home.
Patrol bag / patrolliesak A smallish square green canvas utility bag, clipped onto the webbing harness, or carried slung over the shoulder / chest.
Patrol Mortar 60mm mortar (bubble distance indicator and small foot/base plate).
Pay tiffie Member of the Financial Service Corps / pay clerk.
PB (Afr) Plaaslike Bevolking. Local population.
PB landmine Jagged stumps of trees / shrubs felled for firewood by the local population (PBs) in SWA / Angola. Notorious for puncturing vehicle tyres.
PE Plastic Explosive.
Peleton Piel Afrikaans equivalent of 'Bungalow Bill' -- a person nominally in charge of a platoon / a bungalow.
Pentiffie Member performing admin / clerical duties.
Perdeparade Horse parade.
Personeeldiens Personnel Services.
Permanent Force (PF's) PF's were career soldiers.
PF Pickled Fish (Rat pack).
Piemp Rat on.
Philistines Rhodesians.
Pie hole Mouth.
Pikstel Stainless steel interlocking cutlery set.
Pislelie ("Pee lily") -- plastic lily/trumpet-shaped field urinal pipe, set in sand.
PK, the Affectionate name for the SAS President Kruger, which sank in 1982 after colliding with the SAS Tafelberg -- 16 lives lost.
PKM Russian PK/PKM general-purpose machine gun.
Plakkies Sandals (aka flip-flops, from their sound).
Plaaslike bevolking (PB's) Local population.
Plat pote Flat feet.
Pluk State of bliss induced by drugs.
PO Navy: Petty Officer (Sergeant); the next rank up was CPO, known as "Chief" -- Chief Petty Officer (Staff Sergeant).
Poephol Arsehole.
Poep voer To fool / trick somebody / take them for a ride (lit. "feed a fart to...").
Poes (1) Offensive term for female genetalia.
Poes (2) Offensive insult to someone.
Poes Boekies Photo picture libraries with reference to a woman's genitals.
Polisiekoffie Brandy and Coke (SA Police slang).
POM-Z A type of mine.
Pongo Slang for Army, i.e. where the Army goes, the pong goes.
Porra Portuguese person.
PORG Person of Restricted Growth, i.e. a short person.
Port The left hand side of a ship.
Posparade Parade where mail is received.
Potjie Traditional open fire stew in a three legged pot.
Potjiefakkels Trip flares in small 'pots'
Pronutro The Pro Patria Medal, awarded for service in a combat zone.
PSC/PDK Personnel Services School/Corps.
PT Physical Training.
PTI Physical Training Instructor.
PTSD Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Puddle Pirates South African Navy.
Puma A general-purpose helicopter used by the South African Air Force.
Pussy Pink Army issue floor polish.
Putco Nickname for the Super Frelon helicopter.
Q
Quartermaster (1) Person in command of logistics supply operations in a unit;.
Quartermaster (1) Person in command of logistics/supply operations in a unit.
Quartermaster Store (QM Store) Unit logistics / supply storage facility.
R
R1 The 7.62mm assault rifle, modelled on the FN FAL.
R4 The 5.56mm calibre assault rifle, modelled on the Israeli Galil.
R5 The 5.56mm calibre assault rifle -- a shorter-barrel version of the R4.
Raak die draad To touch the wire. Punishment running up to the fence, touching it and then running back.
Ratel 20 A locally-produced armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) armed with a 20mm cannon, 3x 7.62mm Browning machine guns, and 4 smoke launchers. It could carry 8 infantrymen, or a section.
Ratel 60 An IFV with a turret-mounted 60mm mortar. "Ratel" is the Afrikaans name for a honey badger.
Ratel 90 An IFV with a turret-mounted 90mm anti-tank gun. "Ratel" is the Afrikaans name for a honey badger.
Rat pack Ration Pack.
Rating Navy: Any sailor Killick and below also known as Junior Rates.
Rats Rations.
Re-rat Re-rationing to troops in the field.
Recce (1) A member of the Reconnaissance Unit.
Recce (2) The act of reconnaissance.
Red Eye BM-21 missile.
Red Doiby A red helmet inner worn by personnel on detention or confined to barracks drill.
Regs Right.
Regsom Command for 'right turn'
Regte Po*s Regimental Police.
REMF Rear Echelon Mother Fucker -- non-combat personnel.
RENAMO Mozambican National Resistance.
Rev/Revved Usually referred to when a base was attacked by enemy RPGs and mortars.
Revetment A fortified retaining wall.
Rhino G6, 155mm self-propelled gun.
Ride Safe / Ry Veilig National project for personnel on pass to be picked up/ dropped off at designated points by motorists (random hitchhiking in uniform was prohibited).
Rinkhals Armoured mine proof ambulance.
Rooikiem Reg Germ: derogatory term for a regimental policeman.
Rioolpyp / Rioolpadda Literally "drainpipe / drain frog" -- derogatory term for a regimental policeman, based on their RP brassard / armband.
RM Reaksie Mag-Reaction Force.
Robot A traffic light.
Rock A derogatory term for an Afrikaner.
Rockspider A derogatory term for an Afrikaner.
Romeo Mikes 101 Battalion's 'Reaction Force'.
Rondfok Literally, to be fucked around.
Rondom verdediging All around protection. Encircling an object with troops for protection.
Rondomdom Lit. dumb / stupid all around / in all directions. Indicates total stupidity.
Roof A SADF conscript with less than one year's completed service, literally meaning 'scab'.
Roof / Roofie Ride Trip by truck for new-intake conscripts, during which they are given a "shake-up" with bad driving (heavy braking / sharp cornering, etc.).
Rooi Gevaar Meaning 'red danger' -- term given to the 'Communist Threat'.
Rooinek (Red neck) a derogatory term for an Englishman.
Rooi Oog Alt. Afrikaans nickname for the 122mm Katyusha / Stalin Organ MLRS.
RP's Regimental Police.
RPD Russian Machine Gun.
RPG Rocket Propelled Grenade.
RSM Regimental Sergeant Major.
RTU / Return to unit Soldiers not completing training courses at corps schools; returned to unit of origin.
RV Military abbreviation for map grid reference (read as a series of numbers).
RZ Military abbreviation for rendezvous (point).
S
SAAF The South African Air Force.
SACC South African Coloured Corps.
SADF The South African Defence Force.
SAGDOS The South African Medical Service Training Corps.
SAI South African Infantry.
SAM Sergeant Major.
SAM 7 Soviet ground-to-air weapon (9K32 Strela-2, NATO "SA-7 Grail").
SAMIL Series of general purpose military trucks used by the SADF. Further identified by numbering equalling their tonnage, ie: SAMIL 20 (2 tonner), SAMIL 50 (5 tonner), SAMIL 100 (10 tonner).
Samewerking/saamwerk Co-operation, teamwork.
SAN South African Navy.
Sandbag PT ("sandsak PT") Fitness / punishment activity, with participants carrying filled sandbags while running / performing excercises.
SANDF The South African National Defence Force.
Santa Maria SADF-issue men's underpants.
Sak Drop.
Sak vir tien/vyftig Drop for 10/50 push-ups.
Sat Tired, dead (pronounced "sut").
Sapper A private in the Engineering Corps / colloquial term for Engineer Corps members.
Saracen Personnel carrier.
Sarmies Sandwiches.
Sausage machine Mounted on a casspir this machine consisted of two spinning discs which fired rubber bullets which were fed into it like a string of sausages.
SAWI/SADFI South African Defence Force Industries.
Shona or oshona Local name for a dry open area or large pool in Angola.
Shosaloza (Zulu) An African working song popular in the army.
Section 8 Insanity discharge.
Seven Single A very large or misshapen beret.
Shaki A colour described as being between Shit and Khaki (see Kapoen).
Shilka Russian-made self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (ZSU-23-4).
Shrapnel Tinned mixed vegetables.
Shrapnel Chicken Shredded chicken.
Sieltiffie / siel mechanic Member of the SADF welfare services.
Sien jy daardie boom? Do you see that tree? - Military sarcasm which usually meant a punishment run was about to begin.
Sif Dirty, does not pass inspection.
Sies / "sis" Expression of disgust, disappointment.
Silwer Slyper "Promotion" awarded to a Super Slyper, for better "performance" (see below).
Sitrep Situation report.
Sjambok Whip.
Skaapdra Carry a heavy weight or ones buddy.
Skeef Crooked, gay.
Skop, skiet en donner "Action -- kicking, shooting and beating people up" / an action movie.
Skelm Crook, or secret lover.
Skietbaan Bingo Field punishment, where troops run to target number signboards and back.
Skietbalkie Shooting medal award - the badge is worn above the name tag.
Skietpiet A member of the Infantry Corps.
Skietgat The area of the shooting range behind and underneath the targets.
Skietwal The high earthen wall behind the shooting range.
Skinder Gossip.
Skipper Navy: the Captain of the ship normally a Commander (Lt Colonel).
Skollie Slang term used in the Cape Province, denoting a criminal / rogue.
Skraal Very hungry, very thin.
Skrik Fright.
Skuinsdraad Wire used as an aerial on the B25 (sometimes Claymore wire, very good reception).
Skutter Rifleman / rank equivalent to private in the Infantry Corps.
Sky Pilot Padre, or Minister of Religion.
Slapgat Careless, lazy, a weakling.
Slap tjips Fried chips (as opposed to crisps, which are known as chips), pronounced "slup chips".
Slap Seiner Derogatory term for a signaller, meaning they are not "paraat".
Slops Navy cash store. Where one can buy spare personal equipment, badges and the like.
Smaak To like something or someone.
Smaak stukkend To like something or someone very much.
Smash Dehydrated powdered form mashed potatoes.
SNAFU Situation Normal All Fucked Up.
Snoepie Small shop/tuck shop.
Snotklap To threaten to slap someone across the face in such a way that snot will run.
Snotneus The American 40mm M79 grenade launcher.
Snuffeltiffie Member of the Intelligence Corps. Sniffs out information!
Soek Steek Stok A stick with a wedge shaped tip used to probe for mines.
Sokkiejol Town Dance.
Sommer For no reason / just because.
Sopboetie A derogatory term for an Afrikaner -- derived from holidaymakers in Natal minding their kids' heads on street sign-boards.
Soutie A derogatory term for an Englishman - shortened version of 'Soutpiel'
Soutpiel A derogatory term for an Englishman - meaning someone with one foot in SA and one foot in the UK and their penis hangs in the ocean - literal 'salty penis'
Sparker. Sparkey/Sparks Navy: The Signalman responsible for sending and receiving morse code via radio including encrypted messages, also responsible for monitoring other ships traffic and tracking Non NATO forces.
Spick and Span Luncheon meat.
Spoegbakkie A small stainless steel drinking cup, without handle, used with the mess tray.
Spook en Diesel Rum and Coke.
Spookloop (lit."ghost walk") Field stealth movement technique, requiring very slow, soft footfalls.
Spookpatrollie Drill whereby engineers would search for signs of mining on tarred roads in operational areas while in vehicles. Opposite to clearing unsurfaced areas on foot.
SSB Special Services Battalion, Panzer or Armoured Corps.
S&T Daily allowance for sustenance and transport.
Staaldak The SADF steel helmet.
Staaldak, webbing en geweer A command to don your Helmet, webbing and rifle.
Staan by jou bed! A command to stand by your bed.
Staan Op Troep! Literally Stand up soldier! Usually used when entering a bungalow of sleeping troops or when entering a room. Always bellowed at the top of the voice.
S Tank A collapsable rubberised PVC temporary water storage tank, on ground level.
Stalin Organ Truck mounted multiple rocket launcher.
Stand to Period before sunrise when a unit is on full stand-by for attack.
Starboard The right hand side of a ship.
Starjumps Part of an opfok.
Stasie blompot Derogatory nickname for members of the SA Railways & Harbours Police.
States, the Another name for back home when posted to the operational area i.e. RSA.
Steerable A type of parachute.
Stepouts More formal dress than 'browns' or fatigues usually worn in an office environment, on parades or to go on weekend pass.
Stig 'n TB! Form a TB (Tydelikke Basis or Temporary base).
Stompie (1) A cigarette end.
Stompie (2) A squat bottle of beer - Castle or Lion Larger.
Stoortiffie / stoorman Members assigned to the Quartermaster Store / Ordnance Supply Corps.
Stopper Group Deployed with an attack group, usually to stop enemy escape.
Streef Strive.
Strek A way of acknowleging higher rank.
STRIM Colloquial term applied to enemy rifle grenades; specific models were Yugoslavian-made.
Stryk Iron.
Super Cs Energy lozenge sweets, found in ration ("rat") packs.
Super Frelon Large French-manufactured helicopter, also known as the "Putco".
Super Slyper Someone who ducks and dives / sees without being seen / keeps a low profile.
Suurstof dief Literally an oxygen thief, one who is so sick or such an idiot they are seen as stealing air from the healthy.
SWA South West Africa, the name formerly given to Namibia.
Swabbies Navy Personnel.
SWAPO South West African People's Organisation.
SWAPO Airforce Any flying beetle or insects.
Swart Bed Meaning 'Black Bed' literally - A bed made up with only a blanket. Usually made on laundry day or when going on pass.
Swart Gevaar Threat of black power or rule.
Swerf Wag Roving sentry.
Swerver Mine resistant armoured patrol vehicle, with Landrover engine, used by the SA Railways & Harbours Police, then taken over by the SA Police. Hugely unpopular, due to unreliability.
T
Takkies Sneakers.
Tampax Tiffie Slang term for a medic.
Tannie A term of respect for an older woman - literally 'aunty'.
Taxis Sections of blanket / similar material, used to shine barracks floors with.
TAZ Navy: Torpedo Anti-Submarine -- the Asdic/Radar/Torpedo tracking operators, known as a "TAZ rate".
TB Temporary base (Afrikaans = tydelike basis).
Tein Ops Meaning "COIN Ops" in English -- Teen Insurgensie Operasies, or Counter-Insurgency Operations.
Terrs Terrorists.
Terrapins Rooms with mosquito netting instead of windows and a tin roof.
Thunderflash A non-fragmentation explosive device, also known as a 'flashbang' grenade.
TIA Sarcasm for 'This Is Africa'.
Tiekiebox Public telephone.
Tiffie A member of the TSC/TDK (Tegniese Diens Korps/Technical Service Corps).
Tokkeltou A 5ft. white braided nylon utility rope, with loop and toggle closure, used as a towrope.
Toktokkiegeweer SA Army 106mm recoilless gun (also known as a "106").
Toppie An old man.
Township An African suburb, or 'location'.
Township Duty Duties performed in an African township, anything from roadblocks to riot control.
Toyi-toyi A dance that signifies uprising.
Transnet Formerly South African Railways and Harbours.
Tree Aan! Afrikaans command to form a squad.
Trek af plak toe Take target down and close the holes - meaning, end the argument and move on.
Troep Troop.
Trommel Metal military trunk / footlocker.
Trompoppies Drum majorettes.
Tsotsi A crook / gangster.
Tuckshop Small store or caffeteria.
Tune/s To give someone lip or tell someone something.
Two-liner A full corporal.
U
Uitkak A telling-off -- literally 'shit out'.
Uitklaar Procedures surrounding completing military service, demobilisation.
Uitpak inspeksie Afrikaans command for an Inspection where your kit is laid out on your bed.
Uittree Afrikaans command for Dismiss.
Uitveer Squad Nickname for members of the Security Branch; those who use rubbers to sign their names.
Unimog Two-tonne 4x4 general-purpose truck.
UNITA National Union for the Total Independence of Angola.
US Unserviceable.
V
VVVVVVV Navy: If a series of V's are sent by morse the sending ship is enquiring what ship you are ie what is your callsign. Callsigns were normally 4 letter groups.
Vangwa Police patrol van.
Vaak (lit. dozy / sleepy): either being tired, or being dozy / ignorant.
Vaakseun A dozy, dopey chap, slow on the uptake.
Vaaltuin (lit. a barren garden): somebody boring, drab, dull, unexciting.
Valk Two helicopters flying in loose formation -- translation: 'hawk'.
Varkpan Stainless steel cafeteria / mess tray.
Vasbyt (1) (lit."Bite Fast") hang in there, bite the bullet: term of encouragement.
Vasbyt (1) (Lit. "bite fast") hang in there, bite the bullet -- a term of encouragement.
Varkpiel Portable immersion heater usually plugged into any convenient light socket in a tent or bungalow.
Vasbyter Nickname given to the bullnosed model of the military Bedford truck.
Verberging en Vermomming Afrikaans phrase for camouflage and disguise.
Vir Inspeksie, hou geweer! Afrikaans version of the command "For inspection, present arms!" Usually used when declaring that there were no rounds in the rifle.
Verkramp Conservative.
Vetseun Fat boy.
Victor Yankee Vyand, usually non SWAPO like Cuban Forces.
Vlamgat / Vlammie Generic term for most SAAF fighter-jet pilots/users, referring to the flaming arsehole of a jet on afterburners. Applied loosely to more than one type -- sometimes the Impala, sometimes the Mirage (see Mirage; also the title of Dick Lord's book "Vlamgat", about the Mirage F1 in SAAF service).
Vleisbom Afrikaans slang for a paratrooper.
Vloek Swear.
Voertsek Go away, bugger off.
Volk en Vaderland A nationalist cry for 'People and Fatherland'.
Volume Control The castle above a sergeant's stripes that indicated that they were a staff sergeant.
Vomit Comet A derogatory nickname for the C47 Dakota transport plane.
Voorste Posisie Af! This is supposed to be "Voorsteun Posisie Af!" -- as in "Front Support Position." This was flat on the ground in preparation for doing push-ups.
Voort Forward.
Voorwarts Mars Afrikaans command for Forward march!
Vorm D The "D" formation. Used for anti-riot operations.
Vrot Bad, rotten, putrid, sometimes referring to being drunk.
W
Warrant Abridged address form for the rank of Warrant Officer (SAAF, SAN and SA Police).
Wannabe Someone who did not serve, or embellishes his service somewhat -- a fake.
Wasp Westland Wasp helicopter.
Water breek A water break usually used to take a smoke break.
Web Belt The general-purpose belt, and the basis of a stripped-down webbing.
Weerman Private.
Wena Zulu origin meaning 'you'
Wet Navy: an alcoholic drink of any kind, e.g. "let's go and have a wet."
When-we's Rhodesian expats.
White gold Toilet paper.
Windgat Cheeky or arrogant.
Wors Sausage.
Woes Wild, untidy, unkempt, unruly, agitated.
Wolf Similar to a Casspir.
WSK Army Sports Complex.
Wussies Wimps.
Wyk Area.
Y
Yatti Strip of cleared ground 5 kilometres north and south of the SWA / Angola international border; originally demarcating a foot-and-mouth disease control corridor. Alternate spelling: "Jati". Also known as the "Kaplyn" (cut line).
Yebo Zulu origin meaning 'yes'
Yellow Mellow Township nickname given to Police Casspir vehicles because of their yellow paint.
Ysterbaadjie SAP Uniform Branch member; derived from the tunic worn (SA Police slang).
Ystervark (Porcupine) light anti-aircraft gun mounted on a modified Bulldog APC chassis.
Z
Zaarm A sandwich.
Zap Sign A rude gesture.
Zol Handmade marijuana cigarette rolled with old newspaper or paper.
2,4 (km run) "Two comma four" kilometer run -- the standard Army fitness test.
40 days Based on the popular song by Cliff Richard, it referred to the long awaited time when a soldier had 40 days left before demobilizing.
50 Browning Pronounced "five-oh". The .50 Cal Browning heavy machine gun.
Duisend Voet Fakkel "Thousand Foot Flare"-- 1000 ft colour/illumination flare, hand held.
B 25 Radio.
A 53 VHF radio.
A 72 Ground to air radio.

Source: "Glossary of South African Military Terms", The Observation Post (samilhistory.com), compiled by Peter Dickens, David Kiley, Norman Sander and other veterans of The South African Legion.

Reproduced here in full, with thanks, as a reference for this Roll of Honour. Please visit the original page for the full context and to contribute corrections or additions to the source glossary itself.

Source: https://rohsa.co.za/milTerminology.php?pdf=1

© 2026 Roll of Honour Project — All Rights Reserved

South African Roll of Honour — Remembering those who served and fell. Lest We Forget.