Mocok
/jv/Source Language: The language or dialect this term originates from (JV).Definition & Context
VerbVerb
A word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence.
The act of temporarily substituting for someone in an operational role. Most commonly used in the Indonesian intercity bus transportation industry, referring to a substitute driver who fills the position of the “main driver” for one or several trips.
Synonyms & Variants
menggantikan
The standard formal equivalent used in official and written contexts.
nggantiin
An urban slang variant with a similar meaning but not specific to the bus transportation world.
driver pengganti
A descriptive nominal phrase equivalent referring to the agent performing the act of mocok.
substitusi
A formal and technical register variant, more commonly used in sports or management contexts.
nyetir cadangan
A descriptive expression used in informal transportation communities as an alternative to mocok.
magang
Related to the "trial period" aspect of mocok, but magang is more formal and structured in nature.
Usage Notes or Etymology
The word mocok is believed to originate from Javanese vocabulary related to the concept of “filling” or “plugging” a vacancy, similar in spirit to cocok (fitting, suitable) or mocoh in certain dialects referring to inserting something into an empty slot. Functionally, the word absorbs both the meaning of a “trial period” and a “temporary substitution” into a single term. Its usage is predominantly found within the community of Bus Companies (PO) on the island of Java, particularly among drivers, conductors, and intercity bus crews. The term reflects the informal work culture of Indonesia's land transportation industry, where driver substitution systems are often flexible and not formally documented. A person who is mocok is not necessarily a permanent employee, giving the term a connotation of uncertain employment status or a probationary stage.
Real-world Usage
Karena sopir utama sakit mendadak, Hendra diminta mocok di rute Purwokerto malam itu.
English Translation
Representative of real-world usage and contextual accuracy.