twak, noun

/twak/
Origin:
AfrikaansShow more Afrikaans, contraction of tabak tobacco; (figurative) nonsense, rubbish.
‖1. Tobacco.
1844 J. Backhouse Narr. of Visit 240We were frequently met by Caffers who came running..extending their hands.., calling out ‘Bassella,’ which signifies A present, to this they generally added ‘Towak’ or made signs that they wanted tobacco.
1963 Informant, Wolmaransstad, North WestIf I have the convicts to work for me I always buy them fat cracklings, coffee and twak — but the twak’s what they always ask for and what they like best.
1974 J. Matthews Park (1983) 40‘If yer gimme a smoke, I take ye case on.’ ‘Der prisoner hef no right to hef twak,’ Jonas commanded. ‘Orderly, take away his twak.’
1979 Star 17 Jan.When..the first rains this year turn out to be a hailstorm that flattens the twak then it is time..to discuss some of the big changes that are happening in the Marico...A man must just sit..and use up the winter quota of irrigation water for the twak that has already been flattened by the hail.
1980 C. Hope A Separate Development (1983) 16Bags of Magaliesberg pipe tobacco, dark, greasy and pungent, which I bought to empty out the twak and keep my marbles in.
1988 G. Latter in Staffrider Vol.7 No.3, 110Old Hennie would be sitting comfortably smoking his pipe and twak.
2. slang. Rubbish, nonsense, ‘rot’.
a. As an interjection.
1953 U. Krige Dream & Desert 86‘Don’t forget, a third of that bat’s mine!’ ‘Twak!’ Pieter snorted. ‘Just try and bluff us with that one.’
1970 Y. Winters Informant, KimberleyTwak, that’s not what happened! — nonsense.
1983 Sunday Times 18 Dec. (Mag. Sect.) 10Bull. Lies. Who says? Ag, twak.
1990 TV1, 4 Apr. (The Game)‘I’m going home.’ ‘Twak! I’m buying you a beer.’
b. As a common noun.
1972 Informant, KarooHonestly I know I wrote a helluva lot of twak — I knew I’d fail.
1979 T. Gutsche There Was a Man 210Talk of ticks was twak (nonsense).
1982 M. Mutloatse in Voice 24 Apr.Loud and Clear dares Baas..to repeat the ‘twak’ about detained leaders being terrorists outside court.
1990 Grocott’s Mail 13 Feb. 5 (letter)While his erstwhile cronies support him, all that Mr de Klerk has to say may be considered as twak.
1991 P. Slabolepszy Braait Laaities. 8Do I have to sit here listening to you talk twak all night?
Tobacco.
Rubbish, nonsense, ‘rot’.
As an interjection.
As a common noun.
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twa-grass, twa-gras, nounn.twala, ukutwala, nounn.2
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