This entertaining book traces the evolution of English in South Africa, looking at the diverse forms spoken there, where they come from and how they fit into the world spectrum of English Did you know that there was English in South Africa before the English? Have you ever wondered where the words e~tsotsie(tm), e~larneye(tm), e~goggae(tm) and e~chakalakae(tm) come from? Do you know that the first sentence uttered by a South African in English was e~Coeree home goe(tm), by a kidnapped Khoikhoi man in 1613? South Africa is home to several unique varieties of English. Humorous and informative, this book outlines the distinctive features of South African English and is packed with examples and explanations of common expressions, slang, pronunciations and typically South African words and phrases, including e~bunny chowe(tm), e~just nowe(tm), e~veldskoene(tm), e~sundownere(tm) and, of course, e~eishe(tm). The text is enriched with up-to-date, often hilarious illustrations of key concepts.