moegoe

English

Alternative forms

• mugu

Etymology

From Afrikaans moegoe and Camtho moegoe. Further etymology uncertain.

Pronunciation

• (General South African) IPA^(key): /ˈmʊxu/
• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈmʊxuː/, /ˈmʊɡuː/

Noun

moegoe (plural moegoes)

1. (South Africa, derogatory) An idiot, a fool; a country bumpkin.
   • 1979, André Brink, A Dry White Season, Vintage, published 1998, page 180:

     ‘Gordon is dead. He belongs to us. What's this mugu got to do with him?’

   • 2002 November 1, Kgafela Oa Magogodi, Mail & Guardian:

     Legend has it that it was the year he spent in Alex that altered the young Madiba from a rural moegoe to a township clever.

   • 2004, Herman Mills, Best Mountain Bike Rides in South Africa, page 25:

     This is my backyard and l don't necessarily want a whole bunch of moegoes banging along a mountain l've known since my barefoot boerseun days.