yirra, interjection

Forms:
jirr, jirraShow more Also jirr, jirra, jirre, jurre, jur-ruh, yerr, yerrah, yirrah.
Origin:
AfrikaansShow more Englished form of Afrikaans jere, altered or disguised form of Here (see Here).
colloquial
An exclamation expressing amazement, shock, annoyance, exasperation, anger, or fear; yinna. Cf. Here interjection.
1963 K. Mackenzie Dragon to Kill 151Yirra, man, just when I had almost finished packing!
1974 Drum 22 Sept. 10Jirr — that old tannie was saying, ‘Ek weet nie waarom moet daai Mr Nehls altyd kom interfere nie.’
1977 F.G. Butler Karoo Morning 142Bugger off home, Butler. Yerrah, man, do you want to break your blerry neck?
1979 J. Gratus Jo’burgers 238‘Jirra!’ Pienaar exploded. ‘You’re bloody mad.’
1980 Sunday Times 10 Feb.South Africans don’t like to get too wordy. A vocabulary consisting of ‘yirra’ and ‘shame’, with any of up to 47 intonations ranging from sincerity to belligerence, is considered quite adequate for gracious and profound communication.
1984 A. Dangor in Staffrider Vol.6 No.1, 17Jurre, don’t start that kak story again.
1985 P. Slabolepszy Sat. Night at Palace 45Ah, Jirre, man! One for one!! Bloody chicken, man!
1987 M. Poland Train to Doringbult 11We’re going to have a hell of a drought. Yirra it’s tough being a farmer!
1988 A. Sher Middlepost 87You should see me and my chommies slup. Yells bells, jur-ruh!
An exclamation expressing amazement, shock, annoyance, exasperation, anger, or fear; yinna.
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19631988