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Think about this one:


Springbok (jumping buck) = springbok


Interesting note:

They were also called Trekbokken earlier when million of Springboks inhabited the Kalahari and Karoo, when vast numbers occasionally emigrated from the interior and invaded surrounding settled areas. These mass treks apparently occurred during times of protracted drought, when Springboks were forced outside their normal range. Springboks from the then Kalahari Gemsbok NP took a southwesterly course into the Cape Province and onto farmlands where thousands were shot. Prior to undertaking a trek, an abnormal restlessness was noted with herds of animals moving aimlessly at times when they normally fed or rested. Another characteristic of Trekbokken is the loss of normal wariness, trekking Springboks marched right through towns and barely moved aside for passing vehicles. During 1849, there was an invasion of Springboks into Beaufort West (Western Cape), but they disbanded and disappeared overnight as soon as rain began to fall in the interior.

Another favourite of mine is the Hottentotsgod (praying mantis) or directly translated Hottentot's God. The Hottentots (or Khoi people of the Cape) venerated the mantis, the killing of which was strictly forbidden. Apparently sacrifices were made in its honour when a mantis appeared in a kraal.

Tierboskat - Tiger bush cat (Serval)
Swartwitpens - Black white stomach (Sable)
Witkwasjakkals - White paintbrush jackal (Side-striped Jackal)
Stinkmuishond - Smelly mouse dog (Striped Polecat)

One I like is "Koggelmander" (Tree Agama lizard)

It roughly translates to "taunting salamander", which describes their behaviour perfectly, but not their species!

Can anyone help me with a direct translation for a Skaapsteker slang please?

Liritma -- skaapsteker slang is sheep sticker/stabber snake.

Skaapsteker = Sheepshagger

Luislang - lazy snake - the African Rock Python

Bird names. Why is it that so many names for birds in Afrikaans vary from the English names. Take for example; a Greyheaded Bush Shike is called a Spookvoël (Ghost bird), a Guineafowl is called Tarentaal, a Dabchick is called Dobbertjie (Floater) etc.

In which language was the bird first named? Was it in English or Afrikaans? Why did the second group not give it a name similar to the first group? Was there perhaps bad blood between the "Boere" and the "Engelse" after the Anglo Boer war which gave result to this confusion?

Do you realise how many different English (or Afrikaans, or ...) names you can find for the same species? Common names is exactly that ... not standardised ... a bird can have many different names depending on where you find it. Its not an Afrikaans / English thing, it's a human thing.

This is the reason they have latinised scientific names. It is an effort to have one standardised name for each species on earth. The only problem with that, is that they keep on changing that too (maybe for good reasons), which causes even more confusion.

Dikdik = thick thick (English also dikdik)

OK, so dikkop = thick head? And the PC police have changed that to thick "knee"?

Neushoringvoël - nose horn bird - hornbill

Bergskilpad -: Mountain > peel> road = Leopard Tortoise

Dikkop - thick head, named after ....I had better stop there, I don't want ANOTHER yellow card....


But a bateleur is a berghaan - mountain rooster????? how do they get that?

Kelkiewyn (small glass of wine) I don't know the right English name, but it is some grouse. (please help someone)