ja well no fine

English

Alternative forms

• jawellnofine

Etymology

From Afrikaans ja (“yes”) followed by English words, with echoes of Afrikaans ja nee (literally "yes no"), which in various contexts signals either whole-hearted or uncertain, possibly politely dissenting, agreement.

Interjection

ja well no fine

1. (South Africa) Variously expressing ridicule, irony, indifference, surprise, or ambivalence, possibly in combination, depending on tone and context.
   • 1998, Harold Strachan, Way up, way out, page 88:

     But his meteorology was all wrong as was his notion of agricultural practice in Natal and Zululand. The misty hills do not willingly nourish and nurture the human species any more than bongols willingly drag loads uphill for it. Ja well no fine, so I agree that it does drizzle here too.

   • 2002, Stephen Mulholland, Another voice II, page 168:

     Ja, well, no, fine. After reading that opaque bureau-speak, I know what I want a portion of and it's not Coke.

   • 2004, Marlene Van Niekerk, Leon De Kock, Triomf, page 522:

     […] he took everyone's hands and he said, what was past was past, everyone must roll up their sleeves and look to the future now. Treppie said, ja, well, no fine, with or without rolled-up sleeves, but he wasn't so sure about Marike. She looked even more like a missionary in Africa now with that bandaged hat […]