noun
sjambok
Sjambok (noun) means a heavy leather whip, traditionally made from the hide of a rhino or hippo.
noun
1
A heavy leather whip, traditionally made from the hide of a rhino or hippo.
"Several accusations had been brought in against her and every time she'd denied them she had been beaten with a sjambok."
— André Brink, A Dry White Season (1979)
"Police arrested almost 40 locals yesterday after a crowd took part in illegal marches and refused to disperse. The locals were armed with sticks, sjamboks and other weapons."
— , Weekend Argus (2006)
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Etymology
From Afrikaans sjambok, from Dutch sjambok, from Javanese cambuk, and as borrowed in Malay: modern Indonesian and Malay, ultimately from Persian چابک (čâbok). Originally spelt in the colonial Dutch transliteration tscamboek. The term was imported by VOC officials, Dutch merchants, the Maardijkers (Maluku (Moluccan) freemen and burghers), and Inlanders (Javanese and other modern Indonesian slaves and political exiles expelled to Dutch South Africa). Doublet of chabuk.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of sjambok?
"sjambok" (noun) means a heavy leather whip, traditionally made from the hide of a rhino or hippo.
