thembo

English

Etymology

Blend of them +‎ bimbo, by analogy with himbo.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈðɛmbəʊ/
• (US) enPR: thĕm'bō, IPA^(key): /ˈðɛmboʊ/
• Rhymes: -ɛmbəʊ

Noun

thembo (plural thembos)

1. (slang, sometimes derogatory) A physically attractive non-binary person who lacks intelligence; the non-binary equivalent of a bimbo.
   • 2020, “Bimbos, himbos, thembos, and topping the almighty eggplant”, in Verse Magazine‎^[1], 33rd edition, University of South Australia, published 2020, page 40:
   • 2021, Elena Plumb, “Rise of the Bimbo”, in The Avenue‎^[2], Northeastern University, published Spring 2021, page 41:

     Anyone who wishes to embrace their femininity and sexuality is welcome on the bimbos' glittery island, regardless of gender expression — Chlapecka address^[sic] her audience as “bimbos, thembos, himbos, bimboys, or any 'bo' you wanna be” in a "get ready with me" video on her profile.

   • 2021 November 3, Andrew Jankowski, “Hot Coffee Cart”, in Williamette Week‎^[3], published 2021, page 24:

     Miller and Hanson hired nonbinary people and trans and cisgender men to staff their cart—describing the workforce as “himbos, thembos and flirts” on the cart's social media pages.

   • For more quotations using this term, see Citations:thembo.