Questions and Answers
What is the origin of the word 'banana'?
What does the Hausa word 'boko-boko' mean?
fake or fraudulent
Which African language is the term 'boogie' derived from?
What does 'buckra' refer to in Efik and Ibibio?
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The word 'onomatopoeia' comes from West African languages.
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What is the meaning of the word 'jazz' in Mandinka?
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What is the meaning of the word 'kwashiorkor' in Ga language?
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From which language does the term 'mojo' originate?
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What does the word 'obeah' relate to in West African languages?
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What does the term 'safari' translate to in Swahili?
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What does the Zulu term 'impala' refer to?
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The word 'gumbo' is derived from the Bantu word for ______.
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Which animal does the word 'chimpanzee' come from in Tshiluba language?
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The word 'yams' comes from which West African languages?
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Study Notes
African Words in English
- Banana: Possibly derived from the West African Wolof language.
- Bogus: Originates from Hausa word "boko-boko," meaning fake or fraudulent.
- Bongo: Comes from West African term "boungu."
- Bozo: A West African term meaning stupid.
- Boogie: Likely rooted in Sierra Leone or Wolof, meaning to dance.
- Buckra: From Efik and Ibibio languages, meaning "white man" or "person."
- Chigger: Possibly derived from the Wolof and Yoruba term "jiga," meaning insect.
- Chimpanzee: Named from the Tshiluba term "kivili-chimpenze," loosely meaning "mockman."
- Cola: Originates from West African terms (Temne "kola," Mandinka "kolo").
- Dig: In the context of understanding, derived from Wolof "dega."
- Djembe: Comes from various West African languages referring to a type of drum.
- Hip: Derived from Wolof "hipi," meaning one with eyes open.
- Jazz: From Mandinka "jasi" and Temne "yas," associated with music and dance.
- Jive: Possibly derived from the Wolof word "jev."
- Juke: Likely from a combination of Wolof and Bambara "dzug," via Gullah.
- Kwashiorkor: From the Ga language in Coastal Ghana, meaning "swollen stomach," a form of malnutrition.
- Mambo: Possibly linked to West African languages through Haitian Creole.
- Merengue: Dance term, likely from Fulani word "mererek i," meaning to shake or quiver.
- Mumbo Jumbo: Derived from the Mandingo name "Maamajombo," referring to a masked dancer.
- Mojo: Originates from Fula "moco'o," meaning medicine man, through Creole influences.
- Obeah: Comes from West African languages (Efik "ubio," Twi "ebayifo").
- Okay: Origins disputed but likely influenced by Wolof "waw-kay."
- Okra: Derived from Igbo word "ókùrù."
- Samba: An African term, transmitted through Brazilian Portuguese.
- Sambo: From Fula term "sambo," meaning uncle.
- Tango: Probably from Ibibio word "tamgu."
- Tote: Derived from West African languages through Gullah.
- Voodoo: From West African terminology (Ewe and Fon "vodu," meaning spirit).
- Yam: From West African languages (Fula "nyami," Twi "anyinam").
- Banjo: Likely from Bantu word "mbanza."
- Basenji: A breed of dog native to the Congo.
- Bwana: From Swahili, meaning an important person or safari leader.
- Dengue: Possibly derived from Swahili "dinga."
- Funk: From Kikongo term "lu-***i," meaning bad body odor.
- Gnu: Derived from Bushman "!nu" through Khoikhoi "i-ngu" and Dutch "gnoe."
- Goober: Possibly from Bantu languages (Kikongo and Kimbundu "nguba").
- Gumbo: From Kimbundu word "ngombo," meaning okra.
- Impala: From Zulu term "im-pala."
- Indaba: From Xhosa or Zulu, meaning stories or news, often used to refer to meetings in South African English.
- Jumbo: Derived from Swahili (jambo or jumbe) or from Kongo "nzamba," meaning elephant.
- Kwanzaa: From the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza," meaning "first fruits."
- Lapa: From Sotho languages, referring to an enclosure or barbecue area.
- Macaque: From Bantu "makaku," passed through Portuguese and French.
- Mamba: From Zulu or Swahili term for snake.
- Marimba: From Bantu (Kimbundu and Swahili) words "marimba" and "malimba."
- Okapi: From a language spoken in the Congo.
- Safari: From Swahili meaning travel, ultimately derived from Arabic.
- Sangoma: From Zulu, referring to a traditional healer, common in South African English.
- Tilapia: Possibly Latinized from "thiape," with connections to Tswana language.
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Description
Explore the intriguing origins of various African words that have made their way into the English language. This quiz will help you learn definitions and roots of terms like 'banana', 'bogus', and 'boogie' from West African and other dialects. Perfect for language enthusiasts and cultural learners alike!
