‖magogo, noun

/maˈɡɔːɡɔ/
Forms:
Also m’gog, and with initial capital.
Plurals:
magogos, or unchanged.
Origin:
Vocative of umagogo ‘ancient one’ (plural omagogo), a word common to several Nguni languages.
An old woman, especially a grandmother; also used as a term of address. Cf. gogo noun2, makhulu.
1978 M. Matshoba in Staffrider Vol.1 No.2, 12The frail..old woman tottered painfully from where she had been sitting. It took her some time to reach the door and in the meantime the clerk coaxed her dryly, ‘C’mon, c’mon magogo, phangisa’ (hurry up).
1987 Learn & Teach No.2, 39Who looks after the children of working mothers? Lucky mothers leave their children with their grandmothers. But other women must pay. They send their children to the ‘magogo’ who look after many children.
1988 O. Musi in Drum Sept. 70Many cattle were slaughtered and the magogos brewed highly potent traditional beer, that would have rattled the decayed bones of old Hintsa himself.
1989 Frontline Nov. 21He gives a great indulgent laugh. ‘Oh. that’s all right, M’gog!’ His kindness eases the hurt of the journey home.
1993 M. ka Harvey in Weekly Mail & Guardian 23 Dec. 15Although we do not have our cattle kraals in the township, traditional weddings still take place, with the ‘magogos’ and ‘mkhulus’ (grandmothers and grandfathers) taking the centre stage as the custodians of tradition.
An old woman, especially a grandmother; also used as a term of address.
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19781993

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