It's also a timely reminder to pause and reflect before using some of the following slang vernacular. It goes to show that, sometimes, we use street slang words without knowing their problematic roots.
Like many etymologies, there's no fixed factual birthplace linguists rarely settle on one etymology, instead assessing several theories.īut on of the theories is that 'munter' originated in South Africa, having come from 'munt', an Afrikaans slur for a black person, deriving from the Bantu 'umuntu'. This derives from the same etymology as 'munter' - and its original meaning should raise alarm.
It is also used to describe 'an extreme state of intoxication by way of drugs or alcohol such that the subject's ability to perform basic tasks such as walking and talking are significantly impaired.' Perhaps it's best Miriam Margolyes hadn't heard of the word 'munter' given its offensive slang definition.
