Say What?...On The Road

I think it's time to do another post about South African language.

Here are some (funny but true) definitions for travelling on the roads that were published in "go", a travel magazine:

Bakkie ~ A pick-up truck or light utility vehicle.

Garage ~ The place you get your fuel, fill up the oil, have your tyres pumped and your windscreen washed, etc. There's also usually a small (or larger) shop where you can buy the basics. They are also called 'sevice stations' and can be anything from a pump or two next to the road to the large, fancier "Ultra City".

Petrol ~ When South Africans say "gas" we mean butane or something that comes in a cylinder. You fill your car with petrol, unless you're driving a diesel vehicle, in which case you ask for diesel.

Robot ~ No, not a little electronic tin man! We call a traffic light a robot. ( Why? I suppose because it takes the place of a real live traffic officer.. :-? )

Taxi ~ ( this needs a post on it's own :P ) This isn't your standard metered taxi or cab. When South Africans say "taxi" we mean the ubiquitous minibuses (often old Kombis) that are the mainstay of our public transport system. The routes they follow are not easy to discern and they disobey traffic rules with impunity (believing that they have 'right of way' at all times!). They are usually overloaded and sometimes besides human passengers, they also carry chickens and other livestock. Beware! (If you dare to hail one, stand next to a no-stopping sign and hold your hand out. A taxi will soon appear, and stop.)

Zebra crossing ~ A pedestrian crossing, so called because it resembles a zebra's stripes. If you use one, don't bargain on the traffic stopping for you.

And by the way, when you're in S.A. you drive on the left-hand side of the road. :)