(South Africa) A children’s (boy’s) game where a short stick is flipped into the air by a longer stick, batted and hopefully caught by ‘fielders’.
(South Africa) A children’s (boy’s) game where a short stick is flipped into the air by a longer stick, batted and hopefully caught by ‘fielders’.
The two men are playing a Boer sport called kennetjie, using a length of broomstick as the bat, on which is balanced a small piece of wood that serves as the 'ball'.
"kennetjie" means: A children’s (boy’s) game where a short stick is flipped into the air by a longer stick, batted and hopefully caught by ‘fielders’.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.
"kennetjie" means: A children’s (boy’s) game where a short stick is flipped into the air by a longer stick, batted and hopefully caught by ‘fielders’.. Register: neutral, standard English, usable in most everyday contexts. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in a comparable context.
"kennetjie" means: A children’s (boy’s) game where a short stick is flipped into the air by a longer stick, batted and hopefully caught by ‘fielders’.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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(UK) A children's ball game played in the street, the aim being to throw the ball against the opposite kerb and catch it on the rebound.
(South Africa) A fighting stick, usually with a knob on the end.
(South Africa, uncountable) A traditional game similar to quoits played by throwing the skei at the yoke.
(AU) A children's game in which one player tosses a tennis ball at other players who vigorously try to avoid being hit, the person being hit then becoming the person with the ball.
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(South Africa) The short stick used in this game.
Instead we played kennetjie in the yard with a small piece of wood, which we flipped with a stick, and struck into the air.
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