gogo

Where does the word "gogo" come from? It comes from Zulu ugogo, and was adopted directly into English (1900s).

Gogo’s story begins in Zulu: ugogo meant “grandmother.” An ancient reduplicated word used as a term of respect for an elder woman. It reached English by 1900s as gogo. South African grandmothers' organizations such as the 'Gogo movement' became central to AIDS orphan care. Today, gogo means a grandmother, or a term of respect for an elderly woman, especially in southern Africa.

1. Stage 1 · Zulu · ancient ugogo "grandmother", an ancient reduplicated word used as a term of respect for an elder woman.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1900s gogo "grandmother, or an elderly woman", South African grandmothers' organizations such as the 'Gogo movement' became central to AIDS orphan care.