English

Adjective

bosbefok ‎(comparative more bosbefok, superlative most bosbefok)

1. (South Africa, slang) shell-shocked
   • 2000, Mandla Langa, The memory of stones (page 189)

     He had seen many people die in accidental shootings or, as happened on border duty, someone went bosbefok and let loose with a machine-gun, screaming at an imaginary enemy.

   • 2002, University of Cape Town. Centre for Creative Writing, New Contrast (volume 30, page 110)

     And us six months in the army already and a few gone prematurely bosbefok - and man, they had just given us those LMG's.

   • 2003, Geoffrey V. Davis, Voices of justice and reason (page 330)

     Josh's former Commanding Officer, Louw, quizzes his sister on what he may have told her about Angola, asserting meaningfully that "nobody ever tells everything" and contending that when her brother went bosbefok, "I saved his life.

   • 2008, Chris G. Marnewick, Shepherds and butchers (page 66)

     'Why is he no longer in the Army?' Wierda asked as we were heading towards the airport.
     'He is still on their payroll, but he's become too dangerous for them, too much of a liability. Bosbefok.'