Gombal, what does it mean?

Gombal.

Literally, gombal is a sheet of fabric, used as a mop (rag)
Usually we use old fabric to mop, from old cloth or anykind of unused & old fabric...(that's what we call "gombal" or "kain gombal" (or rag in English) ).

But then the meaning is extended.

Kata2 mu gombal! = Your words are like 'rubbish'.
(It's nothing, just a lie).
In the past, youngsters liked to flatter girls, by giving sweet words..but those words were actually lies..or kind of exaggeration. So the girls would say "Semua itu gombal (those are rubbish)!!"

Btw, the girls knew they were just rubbish, but they liked it anyway, right? Hehehe

So then, the meaning is extended again..
Because the girls liked it, they said to the boys..
"gombali aku dong.." (Flatter me please..).

Here, the word 'gombal" becomes "flattery".

Joko menggombali Susi = Joko flattered Susi.
(menggombali = flatter)
Susi digombali joko= Susi was flattered by Susi.
(digombali = be flattered)

Andre jago membuat gombalan = Andre is good
in making a flattery words. (gombalan = flattery)

Andre jago menggombal = Andre is good in
doing flattery. (menggombal = do flattery)

Romeo: Rasanya sakit tidak? (Did you feel hurt?)

Juliet: Sakit? Aku? Kenapa? (Hurt? Me? Why?

Romeo: Karena kamu sangat cantik..kamu malaikat kan? Sakit kah saat jatuh dari langit?
(because you are so beautiful..you are an angel, right? Didn't you feel hurt when you fell from
heaven?)

Juliet: gombaaaaall!!! (rubbish!!!)