I've had a penpal in South Africa now for about 7-8 years. We correspond several times a year, and sometimes reading her English is really amusing because she tosses out all these local words that I've never heard of before. I imagine some of them may be more familiar to the Brits, but some may be all local. The first two paragraphs of her latest email was unusually heavy with such words.

What a gorgeous nephew you have, such a darling!!! Did I tell you I love babies? You must be so chuffed with him. I can’t see you being cool with him for very long. I may have mentioned that my eldest brother has his first grandchild; two months ago, she is just too gorgeous, being spoiled by all and my brother is totally besotted. He practically insists that his daughter comes around every day with the baby, and if she doesn’t, he rocks up at her house unannounced. I guess we all a little crazy with her and go a bit moggy when she is around, the poor kid does not get a moments peace with us.

The kids have completed their exams for this year, Lindsie goes to grade 12 next year (what we call Matric, or the last year of high school, not sure what’s it called there) Officially they close school on the 11th Dec but have been at home ever since they finished write their last paper!! which was a few weeks ago. Having to find things to occupy them is becoming a task and a half. She turns 17 next week and I guess I need to realize that she is almost grown up now. I allowed her to go to the disco with her elder cousins and all seemed to have went well. (As far as I know). .


chuffed? rocks up? moggy? Matric?