van der hum
Rare / RegionalInformal
Definition
Meaning
A brandy-based South African liqueur flavoured with naartjie (tangerine) peel and spices.
The term has become a cultural reference in South African English, sometimes used humorously or nostalgically to refer to something quintessentially old-fashioned South African.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily known as a specific liqueur. Its use beyond the name of the drink is highly colloquial, idiomatic, and largely confined to South African contexts, often with a sense of dated cultural specificity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Unfamiliar to most British and American speakers. It is a loan term from South African English, where it has limited recognition. In the UK and US, it would likely be perceived as a foreign or obscure brand name.
Connotations
In South Africa: nostalgia, heritage, specific local flavour. In UK/US: exoticism, unfamiliarity, potential confusion with a person's name (van der Hum sounds like a Dutch surname).
Frequency
Virtually never used in general British or American English. Its frequency is near-zero outside discussions of South African culture or specific spirits.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Drink/Serve/Have] + van der hum[Noun] + reminiscent of + van der humVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"as rare as van der hum" (South African, informal, meaning something is scarce or old-fashioned)”
- “"that's a bit van der hum" (potential humorous South African use for something dated or traditionally South African)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Potentially in the context of the spirits industry, import/export, or tourism marketing focused on South Africa.
Academic
Rare. Possibly in cultural studies, anthropology, or historical papers discussing South African food and drink traditions.
Everyday
Extremely rare outside South Africa. Within South Africa, it might be used when discussing traditional drinks or in nostalgic conversation.
Technical
In oenology or distilling contexts, as a specific example of a fruit-based liqueur.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The evening had a distinct, almost van der hum quality, with its old-fashioned hospitality.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We tried a South African liqueur called van der hum.
- The recipe for van der hum, a traditional tangerine liqueur, is a closely guarded secret.
- His stories of 1970s Johannesburg were steeped in a nostalgia as potent and specific as the scent of van der hum.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a VAN driving through the DER-sert, and the driver says "HUM, this tangerine brandy is tasty!" (Van der Hum).
Conceptual Metaphor
THE PAST/TRADITION IS A DISTINCTIVE FLAVOUR (when used idiomatically to refer to old South Africa).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'ван дер хум' as a person; it is a drink name. It is a loanword.
- Do not confuse with the Dutch prefix 'van der' which indicates nobility/geography; here it is part of a proper noun.
- The 'hum' is not related to the verb 'to hum' (напевать).
Common Mistakes
- Capitalising incorrectly (should be 'van der hum' or 'Van der Hum').
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a van der hum') instead of a proper noun (e.g., 'some van der hum' or 'a glass of Van der Hum').
- Assuming it is widely understood outside Southern Africa.
Practice
Quiz
What is 'van der hum' primarily?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a liqueur, meaning it is a sweetened, flavoured spirit, typically around 20-30% alcohol by volume.
It is very difficult to find outside of South Africa and possibly some specialist international retailers. It is not a widely exported brand.
The name is Afrikaans, which is derived from Dutch. 'Van der' is a common prefix in Dutch and Afrikaans surnames, but in this case, it forms part of the brand's proper name.
No. It is a highly regional and specialised term. Most English speakers globally will never encounter or use this word.