sleg, adjective

Forms:
Formerly also slecht.
Origin:
Afrikaans.
Bad, poor; wicked.
1900 B. Mitford Aletta 34We would soon show him whether we young ones are so sleg!
1900 S.T. Plaatje Boer War Diary (1973) 91Snyman had gone up country to fight Plumer as his Dutch opponents were very ‘slecht’ and generally good for nothing.
[1913 J.J. Doke Secret City 280‘How many men have you got?’ ‘Drie honderd,’ said the man, ‘but most of them are sick, baaija slecht,’ and he spat reflectively into the fire.]
Bad, poor; wicked.
Derivatives:
Hence sleg  adverb (slang), unpleasantly, badly.
1962 G. Smith Informant, Johannesburg, GautengDon’t jerry me squint or I’ll chat you sleg with my charmies (sc. eyes).
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19001962

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