Smoes

Smoes is a noun in Afrikaans meaning an excuse or pretext used to avoid responsibility, blame, or commitment. In South African English, the term is also used, often as "a smoes," to refer to a fabricated or minor justification. The word can carry a slightly humorous or critical tone when someone senses that the explanation is unsatisfactory or insincere.

Usage and examples: Smoes are common in everyday conversation. Examples: "Hy het te laat gekom — dit was eenvoudig net 'n smoes" ("He arrived late — it was simply an excuse"). "Dis net 'n smoes om nie saam te gaan nie" ("It's just an excuse not to go"). In formal writing, "excuse" or "pretext" would be preferred, but "smoes" is common in informal speech.

Etymology and context: The term is native to Afrikaans and is widely used in South Africa and among Afrikaans-speaking communities. It denotes a justification that may lack sincerity or factual basis and can be contrasted with legitimate explanations or alibis; in some contexts, it can be used facetiously.

See also: Related terms include excuse, pretext, and alibi. In discussions of Afrikaans vocabulary, smoes is typically treated as an everyday, informal noun rather than a formal term.