You know, something that is quite obvious to me, can be confusing to others that is not familiar with the term. Or a term used by me in the text of a story. It also demonstrates the individual development of one language in different parts of the world.
English came to South Africa around 1803. Since then, developed in the local environment to such an extent, that today, a word or a term used in everyday use, in South Africa, is either non-existent, not known or misinterpreted in other parts of the world.
One such word or term is "Ash-patato" I use in the text of "Stray Cats." One reader picked it up and asked for an explanation. So, I thought there might be others that will have the same query. Okay, I'm not that good at English, so I brought in the Experts. GOOGLE. (LOL)
The best definition of the word can be found at: https://web.facebook.com/wernersafrikaanslibrary/posts/word-of-the-day-aspatatterm-of-endearment-usually-used-when-an-innocent-mistake-/543942479041604/?_rdc=1&_rdr
BUT, before you head over there, I copied the text for you. So here goes:
Word of the day: "aspatat"
Term of endearment usually used when an innocent mistake was made. Somehow sounds more girlie to me, so also descriptive of a cute (young) girl.
Examples: "Jou aspatat, jy het jou skoene verkeerd om aan." You silly billy you have put your shoes on the wrong way round." (ok, maybe to a 6-year-old...?)
"Jy is jou ma se aspatat." You are your mother's sweet-heart.
Other forms: 'patat' nothing sweet or innocent about it, but sweet in taste - sweet potato! (Staple diet of wood choppers in the Knysna forest in the early to mid 19th Century) Literally 'ash potato' as it was cooked in the hot coals.
So as you can see, the word developed in the Knysna forest and is forever engraved in the SA community, be it English, Afrikaans, Indian or what ever of the other languages spoken here.
So! When Dave speak to Lucy and refer to her as "Ash-potato" he means "Sweet-heart."
Sorry, I didn't realise that some were not familiar with the term.
I hope that helps for all of you that was afraid to ask.
ALSO: Congratulations USA! On my external blog you have now surpassed South Africa in the views of the blog. (412 to 354) (Europa and Asia are way down, but there together with Ukraine and Croatia!
Stay Safe!
Bye 4 Now!!