Now-now
Suggest a CorrectionMeaning
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.
Variants
- Now now
- Just now
- I'll do it 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.
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