SLANG WORD OF THE MONTH: “VIPINDI”.

Slang words spring up every single day with a life of their own. We don’t get to know where they come from but to avoid the jest from our so called friends (why did it hurt people that I did not know what “bablas” meant?) we ensure that we at least know what they mean and how they are used. There is a new slang word in town that has been doing its rounds around millennial circles. The word is “Vipindi”.

“Vipindi” is a Swahili word that translates to periods or shows in English. The slang refers to an action/behaviour or series of actions/behaviours that present one in a light or fashion that is acceptable and well respected in certain social settings. These behaviours are usually a dishonest depiction of the individual. It comes from the need for people to feel accepted in a society that glorifies the expensive lifestyle. People will be seen hiring, borrowing and in the saddest of situations, stealing items so that they look like they are leading a lifestyle that is acceptable to others in circles they wish to be a part of.