‖tjaile, noun

/ˈtʃaɪlə//tʃaˈiːla/
Forms:
chaile, chielaShow more Also chaile, chiela, chihele, shayile, tjhaile, tjila, tshaile.
Origin:
See tjaile verb.
In full tjaile time: ‘knocking-off time’, the end of a working day; the signal given to mark this time.
1937 H. Klein Stage Coach Dust 121It was a very down-hearted cavalcade of technicians that moved off at ‘chiela’ time (knocking-off time).
1970 H.M. Musmeci Informant, Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha), Eastern CapeThank goodness it is tjila time, and we can stop working.
1980 A.J. Blignaut Dead End Rd 70He called the chihele a little early and left for the tent.
1980 O. Musi in M. Mutloatse Forced Landing 180It is a wise man who tells his boss that, much as he would dearly love to stay on after shayile time, he dare not for fear of breaking the curfew laws.
1983 Pace Dec. 114You yourself told me never to let anyone into the factory once after tshaile.
1988 K. Moeketsi in Staffrider Vol.7 No.3, 367We would play ‘Saduva’ when we know it’s chaile — closing time.
1992 M-Net TV 9 Nov. (Egoli)This place is like a circus today. How long before tjaile time?
In full tjaile time:‘knocking-off time’, the end of a working day; the signal given to mark this time.
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19371992
Tixo, nounn.tjaile, verb intransitivev.
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