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Original poster

Anyone from Zambia/Africa who can help me with this term?

46 replies

OneHardyMintZebra · 15/02/2025 15:47

Hi, so my friends boyfriend has his ex saved in his phone as something he says means ‘baby momma’. My friend can’t remember exactly but thinks it said maleh or malek possibly. I’ve googled and it says that means Angel or sent from god so she’s obviously now fuming! Especially as she asked him why she was saved as that and his response was ‘well what do you want me to save her as, Angel…. , love of my life?’ ironic! I’m really hoping I’ve not just made things worse:
So does anyone know what term someone from Africa would use to refer to their ex as baby momma (in a negative way from what I’ve gathered) he’s originally from Zambia if that helps

OP posts:
Marylou2 · 15/02/2025 15:51

Wouldn't be happy with either. Baby momma is a revolting, disrespectful term. I think Angel at least seems as though he once had love and respect for her.

Original poster
OneHardyMintZebra · 15/02/2025 15:56

Marylou2 · 15/02/2025 15:51

Wouldn't be happy with either. Baby momma is a revolting, disrespectful term. I think Angel at least seems as though he once had love and respect for her.

True. But to have your ex saved as ‘Angel’ over 2 years after you’ve broken up screams still in love with the woman to me.

OP posts:
saraclara · 15/02/2025 15:57

Maybe it's her name?

lnks · 15/02/2025 15:59

saraclara · 15/02/2025 15:57

Maybe it's her name?

This might be it. I have certainly come across a women called 'Angel'

Original poster
OneHardyMintZebra · 15/02/2025 16:03

No her names not Angel

OP posts:
saraclara · 15/02/2025 16:05

It doesn't mean Angel in either of the languages most commonly spoken in Zambia. In one it means male, and in the other it means without.

lnks · 15/02/2025 16:07

Google translate says it means 'without'

sidebirds · 15/02/2025 16:10

'malaika' means angel in Swahili

Original poster
OneHardyMintZebra · 15/02/2025 16:10

saraclara · 15/02/2025 16:05

It doesn't mean Angel in either of the languages most commonly spoken in Zambia. In one it means male, and in the other it means without.

do you know what someone from Zambia would call their ex/mother of their child (presumably in a derogatory way)? It might help jog her memory and make her feel better. If it is indeed just her saved as baby momma.
although as someone said not sure what that says about his as a person but that’s not my business

OP posts:
Original poster
OneHardyMintZebra · 15/02/2025 16:12

sidebirds · 15/02/2025 16:10

'malaika' means angel in Swahili

That seems close. The other responses don’t make sense so she must have got it wrong as she wouldn’t be saved as ‘without’ surely 🤦🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
StormingNorman · 15/02/2025 16:14

OneHardyMintZebra · 15/02/2025 15:56

True. But to have your ex saved as ‘Angel’ over 2 years after you’ve broken up screams still in love with the woman to me.

Show quote history

It screams you can’t be arsed to update your contacts to me.

lnks · 15/02/2025 16:14

OneHardyMintZebra · 15/02/2025 16:12

That seems close. The other responses don’t make sense so she must have got it wrong as she wouldn’t be saved as ‘without’ surely 🤦🏻‍♀️

Show quote history

My ex had his OW saved as the name of our local MOT garage in his phone!

isthismylifenow · 15/02/2025 16:15

Marylou2 · 15/02/2025 15:51

Wouldn't be happy with either. Baby momma is a revolting, disrespectful term. I think Angel at least seems as though he once had love and respect for her.

It's a common term. It's not viewed as revolting or disrespectful here.

There are lots of terms for mother of my child, same for father of my child. And lots of languages so it could be a slang from any of them.

I really would not even raise an eyebrow at this, it is cultural and unless there are other issues, I don't think your friend needs to consider this one.

Dweetfidilove · 15/02/2025 16:16

lnks · 15/02/2025 16:14

My ex had his OW saved as the name of our local MOT garage in his phone!

Show quote history

Good Lord 😳 😂

SchrodingersTwat2 · 15/02/2025 16:18

It sounds like the Arabic for King.

isthismylifenow · 15/02/2025 16:18

OneHardyMintZebra · 15/02/2025 16:10

do you know what someone from Zambia would call their ex/mother of their child (presumably in a derogatory way)? It might help jog her memory and make her feel better. If it is indeed just her saved as baby momma.
although as someone said not sure what that says about his as a person but that’s not my business

Show quote history

I don't understand what the issue is.

What does she need to feel better about ? That he has his ex name saved as a word she doesn't understand?

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 15/02/2025 16:19

My DH (who I’ve been with for 20 years) has me saved in his phone as

(my name) from school

because we met at work (at the time we were both teachers) 🤷🏻‍♀️

maybe the contact details just haven’t been updated?

SchrodingersTwat2 · 15/02/2025 16:19

Malika means queen.

My ex is saved as Arse so I can't comment further!

Bruisername · 15/02/2025 16:21

Why would it make her feel better if he refers to his ex and the mother of his child by a derogatory term?

your friend sounds extremely insecure and it sounds like an immature relationship

is there other stuff going on in their relationship as she probably needs to focus on that

EmmaMaria · 15/02/2025 16:27

Why is she going through his phone and interrogating him about his contacts? I would be more concerned about that behaviour. She either trusts him or she doesn't. If she doesn't then why is she even bothering to stay with him? Would she feel better if his ex was listed under "Evil bitch"? And if so, why?

Original poster
OneHardyMintZebra · 15/02/2025 16:29

I think she already feels insecure that he’s not over her for some reason. And maybe if she was saved as ‘Angel’ she assumes that means that he still loves her? I don’t know. But my improper use of google hasn’t helped anyway.
I don’t know if there’s any other issues.

OP posts:
Original poster
OneHardyMintZebra · 15/02/2025 16:30

EmmaMaria · 15/02/2025 16:27

Why is she going through his phone and interrogating him about his contacts? I would be more concerned about that behaviour. She either trusts him or she doesn't. If she doesn't then why is she even bothering to stay with him? Would she feel better if his ex was listed under "Evil bitch"? And if so, why?

She didn’t go through his contacts/phone. It came up on the car when they were driving. First time she’s seen it

OP posts:
EmmaMaria · 15/02/2025 16:32

OneHardyMintZebra · 15/02/2025 16:30

She didn’t go through his contacts/phone. It came up on the car when they were driving. First time she’s seen it

Show quote history

But she is interrogating him about his contacts and seemingly jealous that his ex isn't listed as "Evil bitch". So the question still stands - if she doesn't trust him why is she with him?

BeachRide · 15/02/2025 16:37

I'm saved as 'er Indoors on my husband's phone. I hope the paramedic is aged over 50 if he ever has a medical emergency!

Bohemond23 · 15/02/2025 16:40

My DH is in my phone as the name he put into his phone on the day I met him 18 years ago. First name Big Boy surname. It has never occurred to me to alter it.