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magtig

(South Africa) my God!

ˈmætɡɪdDocumented since 1750sSilenthistorical115 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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Born ~1752 · no dated citations yet
1752BornToday, 2026

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#1·Apr 27, 2026

(South Africa) my God! An expression of surprise.

Origin: From early-modern Dutch magtig, today machtig or mighty. "eene magtige vloot..." "a mighty fleet..." - (1752) Jan Wagenaar Vaderlandsche Historie. Deel 7. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
For parents

"magtig" means: my God! An expression of surprise.. 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.

For ESL learners

"magtig" means: my God! An expression of surprise.. 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.

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For specific readers

"magtig" means: my God! An expression of surprise.. 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.

Why is this section here?

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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