mshoza, noun

Forms:
Also with initial capital.
Plurals:
mshozas, bomshoza.
Origin:
Isicamtho, EnglishShow more Isicamtho, ultimate origin unknown; perhaps from English shows (see quotation 1982) with the connotation of ‘well-dressed’, ‘showy’, ‘good-looking’.
slang
In township parlance: a woman or girl of the ‘pantsula’ social group (see pantsula sense 1 a); also occasionally used predicatively as an adjective. Also attributive.
[1982 D. Bikitsha in Rand Daily Mail 14 Oct. (Eve) 5A woman [in a South African township of the 1940s and 1950s] went by such titles: moll, cherrie.., shows,..and others.]
1984 M. Mthethwa in Frontline July 29Pantsulas and Mshozas take great pride in their expensive clothes. Lizard-skin shoes and purses, cashmere pullovers and cardigans, leather coats, jackets and berets are top with them.
1986 Drum Aug. 70Bomshoza are the first to show up at parties where they are not invited.
1986 H. Prendini in Style Nov. 191The pantsula’s female counterpart is the mshoza...A certain style of pleated skirt..is such typical mshoza gear that Arthur Mzozoyana breaks into a huge laugh as he describes it: ‘...It’s just so mshoza!’
a woman or girl of the ‘pantsula’ social group (see pantsula sense 1 a); also occasionally used predicatively as an adjective. Also attributive.
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19821986