man, noun2
/man/
slang
- Note:
- The word occurs in both the singular and plural forms in spoken South African English; the singular has not been found in written contexts, as the distinction between /mæn/ and /man/ is not apparent in writing.
1. As a term of reference.
a. Usually in the plural : ‘Real men’, ‘man’s men’, ‘macho men’: men who are ostentatiously virile or manly; men who are engaged in, or excel in, activities considered to be typically masculine. See also main man, rugger-bugger.
1963 B. Modisane Blame Me on Hist. (1986) 51‘O Broad-derick is de manne,’ one of them said, imitating the bubbling speech of the actor. ‘Did you hear him when he said: “I’m the fastest gun there is.”..?’
1992 J.S. Silva Informant, Grahamstown (now Makhanda, Eastern Cape)Look at him, how he walks — he thinks he’s a real man.
b. The manne: ‘The boys’, ‘the guys’, men with whom one shares a sense of camaraderie; the (important) men of a community (especially an Afrikaans-speaking community). See also main man.
1979 A. Harrison in Frontline Dec. 17I never get lonely. In a city lift I can give the manne a ‘hora hora hoozeet’ and I’m assured of a good conversation.
1993 Sunday Times 31 Oct. 31There’s nothing shy about the manne up here...Government of the Volk, by the Volk, for the Volk..is the only democracy you can safely mention in these parts.
2. As a form of address, always in the plural : ‘Men’, ‘guys’; used (by a man) to address a group of men, usually indicating or inviting a sense of male camaraderie.
Usually in the plural :‘Real men’, ‘man’s men’, ‘macho men’: men who are ostentatiously virile or manly; men who are engaged in, or excel in, activities considered to be typically masculine.
The manne:‘The boys’, ‘the guys’, men with whom one shares a sense of camaraderie; the (important) men of a community (especially an Afrikaans-speaking community).
As a form of address, always in the plural : ‘Men’, ‘guys’; used (by a man) to address a group of men, usually indicating or inviting a sense of male camaraderie.
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