South African slang for a monkey wrench — the large adjustable wrench with an open jaw that can be widened or narrowed to grip various nut sizes. The word 'bobbejaan' is Afrikaans for baboon, and the wrench's jaw movement is said to resemble the animal's wide mouth. Widely used in South African workshops, garages, and construction sites, it's one of those cheerfully vivid regional terms that makes toolbox talk more interesting.
He rooted around in the bakkie's toolbox and came up with a rusty bobbejaan spanner just big enough to loosen the stubborn bolt.
No comments yet — say something.
(South Africa) A monkey wrench.
No comments yet — say something.
Add your own interpretation of "bobbejaan spanner".
Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
See all Regional & Other slang on Slangora.