Meaning
Very soon or a short time ago, with the direction in time supplied by context. Context matters: it can point shortly forward or shortly backward. Just now is related South African usage but may imply a less immediate future than visitors expect. Regional use: South Africa and neighbouring southern African Englishes.
Origin
South African English now-now is a direct counterpart of Afrikaans nou-nou. Reduplication gives the ordinary word now a locally specific near-future or recent-past range rather than always meaning this instant. The Dictionary of South African English has examples from 1948, though spoken use may be older.
Research Sources
References used to check this entry’s meaning, history, or documented forms.
Variants
- I'll do it now-now
- Just now
- Now now
Usage Examples
- The doctor will see you now-now, after the next patient.
- I spoke to Themba now-now, so he cannot be far away.